Looking down at the sharp black point that protruded from her chest, Mina gave a short grunt of dismay and felt her knees buckling beneath her. She then saw the creature move its head and she frowned in annoyance. Forcing herself upright and finding that the limp tail allowed her to move, she clambered onto the demon's bloodstained fur and knelt on its abdomen.
The demon whimpered as she grabbed hold of the black arrow and pulled hard. Yelling in angry defiance, she yanked out the arrow and stabbed it back through the creature's chest a little higher up. Hearing a soft sigh escape the open wolf-like jaws, Mina nodded and hung her head against her chest.
"Mina!" Sam climbed up onto the patrol car and grabbed her shoulders.
"Sam?" Mina smiled and fell back into his firm hold. "This wasn't quite the plan, huh?"
"No." Sam agreed, groaning in sorrow as he looked down at the barb of the tail in the centre of her chest. "Carlos?"
"Yeah, man." Came a quiet reply.
Sam looked down and saw Carlos regarding Mina in dismay. He then realized that silence had fallen on all the hunters and he shook his head in determination. "Carlos, get me a knife!"
Carlos frowned and then nodded before hurrying over to one of his colleagues.
"Hang on, Mina." Sam urged softly.
Mina laughed and let her head rest back over Sam's shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere." She offered quietly.
"Sam!"
Glancing round, Sam saw Carlos holding a machete up towards him and nodded. "Get up here."
"Right." Carlos shrugged and climbed up onto the hood. "Man, this is gross." He complained, moving one of the creature's spindly legs to the side. He then stood beside Sam and guessed what he needed to do. Careful to avoid Sam, Carlos swung the heavy knife and slice through the thin tail where it entered Mina's back.
Mina whimpered in pain and gripped Sam's arms as he wrapped them around her waist and pulled her down from the car. She managed to support her weight as her legs slid down the windshield and her feet found the metal hood.
Carlos helped Sam carry Mina across to the sidewalk and frowned in concern as he saw the full extent of the damage. She was pale and sweaty, the tail barb passing straight through where he guessed several important organs were situated.
Sam grabbed hold of the sharp end of the tail and held Mina's distant gaze. Sure that removing the spear-like barb would allow blood to flow and kill her in moments, he could also see in her eyes that she needed to be rid of it. He nodded and pulled hard on the tail.
Mina screamed and clutched at the oozing hole in her chest. Coughing and gasping as blood filled her lungs, she grabbed Sam's shoulders and he helped her sit upright.
"Carlos, man. We need to clear all this up."
Sam was aware of the other hunters nearing them and listened as they quickly made plans to get rid of the mess around them. He held Mina close to him and rocked her gently, sensing her relaxing in his arms.
"Had to have the last word, didn't he." Mina whispered, giving a short laugh and then coughing noisily. "Bastard."
Sam closed his eyes and nestled his face against the top of Mina's head, wishing desperately that he did not had to be the one who told Dean what had happened.
"We need to get out of here before someone realizes these cops are in trouble." Mina continued quietly.
"Don't worry about that now." Sam soothed.
"Huh?" Mina moved back from him and looked up into his tearstained face. "You want to get caught?"
Sam saw the renewed color in her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes. He sat back from her and looked down at her chest, noting the lack of further oozing amid the dark stain.
"Yeah …" Mina looked down and reached up to touch at her wet shirt. She pulled the edges of the ragged hole apart to see the ugly wound beneath and gave a small sigh. "I guess I've finally turned then, huh?"
Sam looked on in confusion, unsure whether to be pleased or terrified.
"What the hell?"
Aware of the hunters hurrying towards them, Sam groaned and turned to see all of them aiming their guns at Mina. "No!" He moved in front of her and shook his head urgently.
"Sam?" Carlos breathed in horror, "She's not - …?"
"Yeah, I know." Sam smiled thinly. "But she's on our side." He saw the doubt in Carlos' eyes and the fury on the faces of the three other hunters. "Please, Carlos. You know Mina - you worked with her."
"Yeah!" Carlos chuckled nervously, "But I thought she was human!"
"Just what the hell is it?" The combat-clad hunter demanded angrily.
Mina suddenly laughed and got to her feet. "Why, boys … and I thought you were so tough!"
"Mina!" Sam hissed in warning, standing quickly and keeping himself between her and the hunters. He glanced at her and saw the amused interest on her face and the strange look in her eyes.
Carlos saw the tell-tale silvery reflective glint in Mina's eyes and gasped in horror, gripping his gun tighter. "Vampire?" He breathed in shock.
"Yeah," Mina confirmed evenly, "Why? You don't like your women to bite back?"
"Dude!" Sam spun at her in frustration and sighed loudly, "You're not exactly helping me here." He watched her give a small shrug and he then looked back at the hunters. "Come on, guys. She helped us. She's no danger to us." He heard a derisive snort behind him and jabbed his elbow into her ribs.
"Shit! Are you fucking crazy, man?" Carlos frowned, "You know it's only a matter of time before she'll want a taste."
"Hey!" Sam shouted angrily, glaring a warning at him and the other hunters. "That's my problem, okay?"
"Fine." Carlos lowered his gun and shook his head slowly. "But she stays the hell away from me."
"Okay." Sam agreed. He watched the hunters uneasily backing off and then turned round.
"He's right …" Mina observed quietly.
Sam placed his hand on her arm and saw the tears welling in her eyes. "Hey …" He smiled suddenly, "What happened to your delightful arrogance?"
Mina shrugged, "I don't know." She laughed suddenly and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't even know where that came from!" Stepping back from him, she nodded to the hunters who were starting to clear up. "I guess I'd better get away from these assholes just in case they do start to smell tasty."
Sam grinned and watched her head back towards the shadows of the east side of the building.
Deciding that a gas explosion was the best explanation for the ruined East Wing, they had dragged the bodies of the dead police officers and paramedics into the museum and set fire to the place. It felt very wrong but it seemed better than letting people see the truth and causing mass hysteria.
Sam hurried from the building as the flames caught the scattered gasoline and the old building was engulfed in a fireball. Thanking Carlos for his timely intervention and wishing him well, Sam could see the concern in the man's eyes but was grateful that he made no further mention regarding Sam's choice of friends. Hearing the sirens of the fire department and hoping that the demon would be sufficiently cremated within the blazing building, Sam jogged away from the museum.
Mina was sat on the floor of a dark side street and hugging her knees to her chest. Sam hurried up to her and leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
"I can't believe all that really happened …" Sam sighed quietly and then his mouth broke into a happy smile. "I can't believe that evil fucker is really gone!" Hearing no reply, Sam looked down at Mina and frowned as he saw she was shivering. "Hey …" He crouched down beside her and put his hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Mina shook her head and closed her eyes, letting her head drop down to rest on her knees.
"Dude …" Sam groaned in sympathy, "It'll be okay … we'll find a way to help you."
"Oh, Sam!" Mina laughed briefly and shook her head as she looked back up at him, "It's too late for that …" She then winced and screwed her eyes tightly shut.
"Wo! What is it?" Sam urged.
"I …" Mina gritted her teeth and grunted slightly, "I'm so sorry."
Sam watched her look back up at him and saw the pain that clouded her eyes. "What's happened, Mina? What's wrong?" He moved round to face her and took hold of her shoulders, sitting her back against the wall to check on her wounded chest. And then he saw the open leather-bound hip-flask in her lap and he frowned in confusion.
"Tell Dean - " Mina groaned and clutched at her abdomen, "I'm sorry .."
Sam grabbed the flask and felt it was empty. His heart slammed against his chest as he realized what she had done and he shook his head in disbelief. "Why …?"
"You know why." Mina replied, grimacing and fighting back sudden tears. "You heard what Carlos said."
"Carlos!" Sam demanded angrily, "Fuck Carlos! He doesn't know you. He doesn't know how strong you are!" Sam then saw the dark mottling appearing beneath Mina's skin and he again grabbed her shoulders. "Mina? How can I stop this?"
Mina hung her head and sobbed quietly.
"Hey," Sam lifted her chin and saw her look wearily up at him. "I won't let this happen. Now, think. What will counteract this stuff?"
"Nothing." Mina husked, closing her eyes.
"Bullshit!" Sam shouted in panic, shaking her shoulders roughly, "There must be - " And he suddenly had an idea. Sitting back on his heels, he pulled off his shirt and peered down at the gash on his arm. Pressing against the sides of the wound and hissing in pain, he saw the blood that oozed forth and held out his arm. "Here …"
Mina looked up at him and then lowered her eyes to the gently weeping cut. "No!" She gasped and turned her head away in revulsion. "I won't be one of those monsters, Sam!"
"Take it!" Sam ordered, "I won't let you die!"
"No." Mina repeated, shaking her head and trying to move away from him.
"Mina, please!" Sam begged, tears blurring his vision. "You have to … if not for yourself then for my brother." He watched her slump onto her side and swallowed back the lump in his throat. "Please … don't die …"
Mina closed her eyes and lay quietly on the ground. Sam groaned in disbelief and looked down at the gash on his arm. Frowning in determination, he scooped up some of the sticky blood on his fingers and wiped it across her lips. "Come on …" He whispered, sliding his fingers into her mouth and onto her tongue. "Please …"
"No - !" Mina suddenly came round and tried to wipe her mouth clean.
"Hey!" Sam grabbed her wrists and held firmly. He then saw her lick her lips and his heart began to race as he watched her savor the taste. Seeing the sudden sorrow that then filled her face, he pulled her up and threw his arms around her. "It's okay, Mina … it's okay …"
Mina slid her arms around his shoulders and sobbed against his chest. Sam rocked her gently for a moment and then leaned back to look down at her face. Slipping his injured arm free, he held the wound up towards her and held his breath.
"Ow!" Sam slumped back and quickly supported himself with his free hand as Mina grabbed his arm and placed her mouth over the gash. "Shit!" He hissed and looked away as he felt her tongue probing against the raw nerve endings. Then aware of an odd sucking sensation, he could taste bile in his throat and hung his head.
Stopping suddenly, Mina sat back from Sam and wiped the back of her hand across her lips. She frowned in concern as she saw him sigh in relief and she shook her head slowly.
"It's okay …" Sam grimaced as he slipped his arm back into his shirt and pressed his hand over the throbbing wound. He then managed a smile and gave a small nod. "That worked then …"
Mina regarded him in silence and watched him look warily back at her.
"You okay?" Sam frowned. He then gasped as she suddenly flew at him, knocking him back onto the floor of the side street. Crying out in protest, he fought against her but she was too strong and had the element of surprise on her side. He yelled in pain and fear as she lowered her head and sank sharp teeth into the side of his neck.
"Stop!" Sam groaned, trying to prize her free, "Mina! Please!" He grabbed at her shoulders and tore at her hair and clothes, tears streaming down the sides of his face. "Stop!" And suddenly he managed to get grip with one of his feet and grunted in effort as he rolled onto his side and shoved her away from him. He threw her back hard and felt the shock run through her body as the back of her head hit the floor and she was suddenly quiet.
"Fuck!" Sam wriggled away from her quickly and pressed his hand against his neck. His breathing loud and fast, he sank back against the opposite wall and his head was spinning as he watched her still form. "Holy crap!" Sam sighed, slowing his breathing and wincing as he felt the deep bite wound under his fingers. "Genius …" He muttered into the dark side street. "Absolute fucking genius, Sammy …"
The room was not as quiet and still as he had first thought. Listening to the growing sounds around him as he woke from sedated sleep, Dean heard a gentle bleeping somewhere beside him and then the odd mechanical whirr that followed. Cracking one eye open, he turned his head and frowned at the odd shapes standing next to him.
Slowly it began to make sense and he remembered where he was. Blinking his eyes wider open, he stared at the pumps that were attached to a pole by his bed and watched the rhythmic dripping of the fluid. He then followed the tubes that were threaded through the pumps and frowned as he saw them snake up his body and towards his head. Reaching up, his fingers touched the dressing on the side of his neck and his frown grew.
Relaxing back against the pillows, Dean then took in the rest of the room and his heart raced as he saw the figure slumped in a chair beside him. Noting in interest that the bleeping sound had also sped up, Dean turned his head further round and watched the patterns on the monitor by his bed. Fascinated by the wavy lines, he watched them for a moment and then looked back at his brother.
"Sammy?" Dean licked his dry lips and coughed hoarsely. "Hey." He managed to call a little louder, "Dude!"
"What?" Sam gasped and sat bolt upright, looking around him in fright. He then saw his brother smiling merrily at him and sighed in relief.
"Hi." Dean's smile grew, "I'd like to say I didn't mean to scare you … but that was damned funny."
Sam shot his brother a glare of warning and relaxed back into the chair with a loud yawn. "Man … you've been asleep for ages …"
"Yeah?"
Sam nodded slowly, "They said you might cos they had to give you a sedative when you came out of the anaesthesia." He smiled thinly, "Something about you being uncooperative."
"Me?" Dean gasped in amusement, "Nah!" He then became serious and lifted his head to try and peer at his legs.
"You've still got them both." Sam offered quietly and then saw the memories that filled his brother's face with worry. "It took them four hours to put your jigsaw of a leg back together." He continued, trying to keep the conversation light. "You've got a ton of scrap metal holding you together now. A bit like your car."
"Hey!" Dean laughed suddenly and looked back at his brother. "Jerk."
"Bitch." Sam replied quickly.
Dean then frowned and noticed the IV line that ran into a needle in the back of his hand. "This morphine?"
"Yup."
"Dude …" Dean sighed and smiled happily, "That explains why I'm floating." He closed his eyes for a moment and then his face was once again troubled. "Did you kill it?"
"We did indeed."
Dean turned and looked at his brother in concern. "Is everyone okay?"
"A little tired and shaken." Sam nodded, "But okay."
"What happened?" Dean urged.
Sam took a deep breath and explained the scene outside the museum and the unexpected arrival of Carlos and the other hunters. He saw his brother raise his eyebrows in surprise and nodded in agreement. Sam then explained how they had piled the bodies into the museum and set the place alight to make it seem like a gas explosion.
"And they bought it?" Dean urged.
"It's been on the news all morning." Sam assured, "I think we covered our asses sufficiently."
Dean nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. "Shit … I'm so glad that's over … I was starting to get sick of that yellow-eyed bastard." He smiled and watched his brother give a small smile back at him and then Sam looked away uneasily. "Hey … what is it …?"
Sam shook his head and gave a small shrug.
"Dude." Dean groaned, "I'm high on pain killers and asking you to talk. You won't get another chance like this."
Sam's smile made a brief return and he nodded slightly. Getting to his feet, he stretched his arms out by his side and yawned loudly. "I don't know …" Sam wandered over to the window and looked out at the city. "It's just … I can't stop thinking about what you said last week."
Dean frowned in intrigue.
"What you said about how you think there's a link between dad dying and your recovery after the car accident."
"Oh." Dean closed his eyes and heard the bleeping of his heart rhythm step up a gear.
"Well …" Sam took a deep breath and looked back at his brother, seeing the sorrow in Dean's face. "What if it's true?" He watched Dean wince at the notion and paused for a moment. "What if dad chose to give his life in return for yours?"
"Chose?" Dean husked, "Or was blackmailed?"
Sam sighed and stepped back across the room to sink into the chair. "I don't know …" He dragged a hand through his hair and gave another yawn. "Dude … we've seen some pretty creepy things in our time." Sam continued quietly, "Most of them explainable and clear cut. Bad spirit or evil force … find it, kill it, done."
Dean frowned, "Your point being?"
"Things have gotten blurry of late." Sam shrugged, "You said it yourself. I mean … not every supernatural thing is evil …"
Dean watched his brother in silence and considered his words for a moment. "I don't see where you're headed with this."
"Destiny."
"Oh crap!" Dean laughed suddenly, "I'm not so doped up that I don't know that shit when I hear it."
Sam nodded slowly, "I know you don't believe in it but … well, I'm starting to …"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." Sam sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
"You let me know how that works out for you." Dean muttered and looked away from Sam.
Sam sighed and nodded slowly, "I just think it's more than simple coincidence … meeting Mina and … and everything … " He watched his brother look back towards him and gave a small shrug.
Dean was quiet as he considered Sam's words for a moment and then frowned. "What happened to your neck?"
Sam reached up to touch the dressing inside his collar and forced a smile onto his lips. "A piece of glass. It's nothing."
Dean looked at the bloodstains on Sam's shirt and sighed loudly. "Dude … you look like crap."
"Thanks!" Sam laughed suddenly, "Taken a look at yourself lately, bro'?" He watched Dean smiling and then slowly got to his feet. "I'd best go tell the others that sleeping beauty is finally back with us."
"Hey," Dean grabbed Sam's arm as he moved away and watched his brother turn back to him. "I … shit!" He grinned suddenly, "I'm so bad at this!" His smile faded and he looked up at Sam in uncertainty.
Sam smiled and patted his brother's hand gently. "Good job I'm psychic, then." He offered merrily and swallowed back tears. "I know how you feel, Dean."
Dean nodded and released his grip on Sam's arm.
Sam took a deep breath and headed towards the door. Turning back as he stepped into the corridor, he gave a brief wave. "And, you're welcome!"
Waiting beside the open door to his room, Mina watched Dean sleeping peacefully and smiled in relief. Not having the heart to disturb him, she remained there for a while and leaned against the door frame.
Mina nodded a greeting to the nurse that stepped past her and hurried in to check on Dean. She watched as the nurse took readings from the monitors and ensured his various lines and and tubes were still in position. The nurse then carefully lifted the bottom corner of the sheet that covered him and peered beneath. Mina frowned as she saw his heavily bandaged left leg and was then aware of the nurse glancing at her.
"He'll be fine." The young woman offered quietly. "Don't worry."
Mina smiled and nodded gratefully. She then saw Dean stirring and held her breath as he opened his eyes and looked across at the nurse, his gaze then resting on Mina.
"Hi." Dean smiled.
Mina watched the nurse finish her chores and then stepped into the room.
"How long have you been here?" Dean asked drowsily, watching Mina as she walked towards him.
"A while." Mina shrugged, "I didn't want to wake you."
"I'm glad you did," Dean countered, holding his hand out towards her, "It's good to see that you're okay."
"I don't know about that." Mina laughed gently and took his hand. She sat down in the chair beside his bed and slid it close to him. "How you feeling?"
"Weird." Dean answered, "Like my head is full of cotton candy." He nodded to the pumps on the other side of the bed. "I think I've got a drug problem."
Mina laughed and looked across at the various pumps. Her eyes then rested on the dark red bag that hung above the machines and she could feel adrenaline building as she watched the blood dripping steadily.
"You okay?"
Pulled from her thoughts, Mina jumped slightly and looked back at Dean. She forced a smile to her lips and began to dismiss his concern.
"Hey …" Dean shook his head slowly, "Don't …" He watched her smile fall from her face and sighed heavily. "Tell me what's wrong …"
"I'm - " Mina pulled her hand free and stood quickly. Covering her mouth, she swallowed back tears and turned away from him. Stepping close to the window, she felt the midday sun on her face and was aware of a slight burning sensation on her skin. Stepping out of the light, she hung her head and closed her eyes.
"It's happening …" Dean surmised quietly, "Isn't it."
Mina nodded and turned back to see the worry and sadness in his face. "Yeah."
Dean took a moment to absorb this information and then took a deep breath. "Crap …" He sighed loudly.
"Definitely." Mina agreed quietly and walked slowly back across to him. "Dean, I - "
"No." Dean reached out and took hold of her hand. "Don't say it."
Mina blinked away tears and squeezed his fingers. "I'm too much of a risk …" She continued slowly, "You and Sam - " Mina closed her eyes and winced at the memory, "You have such an important role and … I just can't - "
"Please, Mina." Dean shook his head, "There must be a way …"
"To what? Stop me killing you?"
"Don't."
Mina gave a small chuckle and stepped closer to him. "You don't know what it's like." She explained quietly, "It's such a powerful feeling and … when I'm close to you … or even if I'm not … I can smell you and - " She laughed suddenly and shook her head slowly. "And it drives me crazy!"
"Well, who can blame you?" Dean suddenly grinned.
Mina groaned and shot him an exasperated frown. "I knew you'd like that." Her smile returned and she rolled her eyes. "You're so predictable!"
"I thought that's what women want?" Dean chuckled, "Safe and reliable."
"Perhaps."
Dean regarded her in silence and his smile dissolved. "I don't want you to leave."
"I have to." Mina argued softly, fighting back tears.
Closing his eyes and biting his lip to stop it trembling, Dean coughed on a sob. "I can't believe this is happening …"
"I know …" Mina leaned down and pressed her lips against his forehead. She then gently kissed his mouth and leaned her face against his for a moment. "I love you."
Dean groaned and reached his arms up to pull her against him. He buried his face into her neck and held his breath as she cried softly. Sensing her pulling away, he held on tightly for a second longer and then slowly released his hold. "Take care of yourself, Mina."
Mina nodded and forced a brave smile. "You know. My name isn't really 'Mina'." She watched him frown in interest and then shrugged her shoulders, "Well, it's my nickname. It means 'first daughter' in my ancestor's language. My real name is Nonoma'e Ka'eskone."
Dean smiled thinly, "Sounds like a Star Wars character."
Mina laughed in delight and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I guess it does!"
"What does it mean?"
"Thunder Child." Mina replied, her smile growing, "Shincheii gave us our names when we were born and apparently I arrived in the middle of a storm."
Dean nodded slowly, "Funny. There was a storm when we first met …"
"True." Mina agreed in interest.
"Will I ever see you again?"
Mina paused for a moment and then leaned back down to place another kiss on his mouth. She rested her cheek beside his and sighed softly. "If I find a way to safely be with you then … hell, yeah."
Dean stroked his hand through her hair and cleared his tight throat. "How will I find you?"
"Oh, don't worry," Mina leaned in closer and breathed in the warm scent of his skin. "I'll find you."