Disclaimer: I still don't own Supernatural or its characters and am not making any money on this…I'm still just having fun!

THE CUPID EFFECT

Chapter 2 – Cosmic Jokes

Dean slammed the door of the hotel room shut as he began to pace around the room. He couldn't believe it; surely this had to be some kind of cosmic joke. But then that seemed to sum up their lives in general. Yet, something was wrong—he could feel it.

Sam had been acting different since the devils gate was opened. He had been more detached, less willing to discuss his emotions than before. But the crazed look he saw in his brother's eyes and the flush on his face, now that he had time to think back on it—was all wrong. "Damn it Sammy! What's going on with you now?"

Dean pulled out the laptop and began to look over the information Sam had already gathered. As he read, the dread building in his gut increased. Especially as he read one of the interviews Sam had found in some police report; luckily even small town police stations were putting things on-line these days…

Getting back to business, he continued to scan the report. After he finished, he pulled out his cell phone and called the only one he knew could help them. "Hey Bobby. How long before you can get here?"

"I should be there in an hour Dean…" Bobby's voice sounded tired.

"Good, were you able to find anything out about those people Sam found?" Dean held his breath, wondering if Bobby had made the same connection as they had regarding the sudden deaths.

"Not much, other than to find out in each case those who had seen them together, couldn't believe it when I told 'em they had become engaged. One woman even made the comment; she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't kill each other before the end of the honeymoon. Why Dean? Is something wrong? Where's Sam?" The rapid fire questions were laced with an underlying worry, most would have missed except for Dean.

"I'm not sure; did you get any sense on what might be causing this? I mean, what could make two people so different fall in love that quickly?" Dean hedged, not quite willing yet to admit something could be wrong with his little brother. In a way, he was hoping for once he was wrong and Sam was just having a little fling to ease the tension.

"I have an idea, but I need to do some more research yet—why don't you put Sam on. Maybe he can start it before I get there. There are a few sites I want him to look at…" Bobby paused, the silence on the other end obviously telling him more than words. "Sam's not there is he Dean? He's been affected?"

"I don't know Bobby—you tell me. Right now Sam is playing Romeo to Bella's Juliet…" Dean ran a hand through his hair. "Give me those sites Bobby; somehow I don't think we have time to wait for Sam."

A short time later, Dean looked up from the scraps of paper and the glowing computer screen. A sharp knock on the door had pulled him from his research. Grabbing his gun, he placed it within easy reach in his waist band before going to answer the door. His shoulders relaxed as he saw the familiar cap and gray head just outside the peep hole.

"Bobby! I'm glad you're here!" Dean stepped back to let the weary looking hunter enter. It was clear his friend still hadn't totally recovered from his own recent ordeal. Dean grabbed the books from the older man's arms as he stepped back to allow him to enter.

"Thanks boy, did you manage to take a look at those sites I gave you?" Bobby was all business when it came to a hunt, something Dean had always admired. Next to his geek brother, the man in front of him was probably the smartest person he knew.

"Yeah, but it doesn't make sense. Why did you send me to all those mythology sites—I mean, do you honestly think we are dealing with some kind of god here?" Dean shifted uncomfortably as he remembered their last encounter with pagan gods; his tooth ached as if the pliers were once again jammed into his mouth.

Bobby dropped down wearily onto the bed Sam normally occupied. "I don't know boy, at least not for sure. I need to do some more reading…" Bobby pulled a book over, his hands shaking slightly as he opened the pages. It was clear he intended to start reading.

"When was the last time you ate or slept Bobby?" Dean asked, automatically assessing the older man's condition as he moved to gently take the book from his hands. He could tell Bobby was exhausted; the dark circles on the pale face in front of him spoke volumes.

"Tell you what, why don't you just lie down for a little bit and catch a little nap while I run out and get us some grub. We can eat and read at the same time ok?" Dean knew he was right when Bobby followed his suggestion with just a small grunt of disapproval.

"I'm not no four year old youngin' who needs a wet nurse Dean…" Bobby's voice grumbled, even as his eyes began to close. It wasn't long before loud snores filled the room.

Dean chuckled softly as he grabbed his jacket and car keys. He'd stop by the office on the way to rent the room next door. "Yeah, but you snore like a grizzly old man…" Dean muttered fondly as he exited the room.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam sat at the elegant dining room table, listening to Bella as she pulled out things from the fridge to make them something for breakfast. As he looked out the floor to ceiling windows, he realized with a start it was already close to noon. His lips quirked as he remembered the activities that made him sleep in this late.

Bella walked into the dining area with a sliver tray containing their breakfast. Her soft white robe caressed the curves of her body as she leaned in to plant a kiss on his lips. "Hmmm, you taste like strawberries…" Sam murmured, reaching for her and pulling her into his lap.

After a few moments, all he wanted to do was forget about breakfast and return to the wonderfully large bed upstairs. But Bella had other ideas. "Sam, you need to eat. I could hear your stomach all the way out in the kitchen."

Sam's eyebrows quirked as he looked at the food displayed on the tray in front of him. "Cereal with Strawberries and cream—you really went all out…"

Bella shoved at his shoulder and stood, a brief moment of anger flashing in her eyes before she shook her head. "There's something you should know about me Sam. I don't clean, I don't wash windows and I definitely don't cook. But then, with the money I make—I don't need to do those things…" She almost purred as she filled her bowl with cereal before popping another strawberry into her mouth.

Sam sat back, his mind suddenly reminding him why he had come here to begin with. "Yeah about the way you get that money; I don't understand how you can do what you do when you know the damage it can cause. I mean Bella, people die when you steal some of those relics—you almost died…" Sam's breath hitched at the thought, his heart pounding painfully in his chest as he realized if she did die, he didn't want to live without her.

"Sam, I told you and your brother. I at least get something for my hard work. What do you get? When was the last time you slept on silk sheets or stayed in a place that didn't have cracked plaster or nasty smells? Seriously Sam, I would think you of all people would realize—you have to look out for yourself because in the end, no one else will." Bella sat back, her arms crossed as if she was trying to protect herself even now.

"Your wrong Bella" Sam paused as one word popped into his mind "Dean" before it was replaced with something else. He wanted her to feel safe, just like his brother made him feel. "Believe me nothing will ever hurt you as long as I'm around. I couldn't live if something happened to you…" Sam reached across and gently grabbed one of her hands. He felt her relaxing as he gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

The woman across from him sighed before looking away for a moment, confusion swirling in the depths of her eyes. "I know Sam—but I just don't understand why I know. I mean you and me; we're like oil and water, we really shouldn't mix…"

Sam sat back again, his own mind now screaming louder trying to override his heart. "I can't help the way I'm feeling Bella. I can't explain it either—but it feels like this was meant to be. Say you won't leave me…" Sam's liquid eyes met somber ones as he tried to reach out once more for the woman sitting across from him.

A soft sigh followed the willing body that suddenly perched once more on his lap. As her lips met his, she spoke her own promise. "I don't know why, but believe me Sam. I won't leave you—I'll never leave you again."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"I think I've found something Dean…" Bobby's scratchy voice broke the silence that had been filling the room for the past few hours. Dean stood and stretched his hand feeling in his pocket for his cell phone. Sam should have been back by now or at least called. But a quick look at the phone told Dean what he had already known. Sam wasn't coming back, at least not anytime soon.

"I hope so Bobby because I gotta tell you, I'm getting worried. I mean, I tracked these killings all the way back to just after the gate opened, so we're dealing with some kind of demon here right?" Dean poured a cup of coffee for both of them before sitting back down.

"Well sort of Dean. I mean, you're going to find this hard to believe but I found an obscure mention of something similar happening once before. Of course, this was back when folks attributed everything good and bad to the gods." Bobby paused, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Just spill it Bobby—what are we dealing with here?" Sometimes Dean just wanted to strangle Bobby and Sam. They could never just spit it out—no they had to make him wait, building the suspense until they hit him between the eyes with their latest discovery.

"Cupid or if you prefer Eros, the god of love to the Romans and Greeks…" Bobby ran a hand through his hair.

The cup of coffee slipped from Dean's hands and dropped to the floor, his mouth hanging open as he tried to process what Bobby had just revealed. "Wait! You're honestly trying to tell me that a chubby baby wearing nothing but a diaper has shot my brother in the heart with his magic arrow—I mean seriously Dude, we've seen some strange things but this?" Dean slammed his hand onto the table; it had to be a joke.

"Look kid, you've already dealt with the Trickster, a pagan fertility god and Mr. and Mrs. Christmas—why is it hard to believe there's somethin' out there causing mischief with people by using love?" Bobby huffed as he slammed his book closed. "And did I mention that in addition to this being's ability to manipulate feelings of lust and desire, it also was known to have a large influence over the dead in Hades—of course, the fact that Hades is also sometimes referred to as…"

"Hell, I know the lore Bobby. I mean first Anti-Claus and now a whacked out version of Cupid—next you'll be telling me the Easter bunny is real!" Dean picked up the coffee cup and cleaned up the mess while he tried to process what Bobby was telling him.

"Well technically Easter originated as a pagan holiday…" Bobby began a slight twinkle in his eye.

"Don't—just don't go there ok?" Dean held up his hand as he refilled his cup and sat back down. He looked thoughtfully at Bobby, realizing the man really was serious. "So we're up against another pagan god—great, so to kill this one we need a wooden stake right? Please tell me we can kill the son of a bitch!"

"Well, now that's the interesting part of this tale. No one has ever found the being responsible. In fact, I'm thinking it's probably impossible to locate it."

"Great, just freakin' great. So basically, Sam is screwed is that what you're telling me here? Because I'm not hearing any solutions to the problem; how can we kill something we can't find?" Dean pushed his chair back and erupted to his feet, his body wanting action—needing to do something but there appeared to be nothing he could do.

"Damn it Bobby, I can't lose him this way—not before…" Dean's eyes filled for a moment as he realized with Sam gone, his new found will to live would wane as well.

Bobby stood and placed a calming hand on Dean's shoulder, understanding in his eyes. He continued as if Dean hadn't interrupted him. "According to what I've been able to find, when this happened in the past—only some of the unlucky couples died. Those who made it past St. Valentines Day seemed to somehow come to their senses." Bobby sat back and looked at Dean, waiting for the young hunter to process what he'd been told.

"So you think if we can keep those two from killing each other until after Valentine's Day, things will go back to normal?" Dean's eyebrows rose.

"Well it's the best theory I've got. Think about it this way, this affliction is almost like a curse and how do you deal with most curses Dean when you can't cure them?" Bobby waited; knowing the young man in front of him had the answer.

"You wait it out—I get it Bobby, but what do we do in the meantime?" Dean watched as Bobby scratched his head. "Well, first of all we probably should separate those two. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. How hard can it be to keep them safe for one more day?"

Dean shook his head before reaching for his keys. "This is Sammy we're talking about here—remember?"

Bobby's face fell for a moment. "Yeah, I know kid—but he always seems to survive too don't forget…"

"I hope so, Bobby—for both our sakes!" Dean remarked as he headed for his car and to Sam.

TBC

Raven524: Yes, that's right—I'm taking on Cupid! LOL Hopefully, I'm not offending anyone, but lets face it—how else would Sam and Bella connect? But hold on, as I promised this will not be a Sam and Bella pairing—more like a unpairing…This will be a short story, only about five chapters, so hold on as he plot thickens—it will be a fast finish.