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 4 – Trouble in Paradise

Sam felt Bella move in his arms as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. He was amazed at how much time had passed. Darkness had crept into the room, throwing all in shadows except for the soft glow from the bedside lamp. "Hey sleepyhead…" Sam whispered, not wanting to scare the woman in his arms.

"Sam?" Bella blinked, her hands curling into Sam's chest as she turned her face up to peer at the man beneath her. "What happened? The last thing I remember…"

Bella suddenly pushed herself up and sat up glaring down at Sam. "You came back? I'm still not going to give you the Colt Sam—believe me, while the sex was good, it can't compare to the profit I'll make on that piece of ancient history."

Sam sat up on the bed, fighting his own anger as he gazed at the woman he wanted to marry. He didn't want to fight anymore. He just wanted to hold her. "We can talk about that later Bella. I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier, it's just—this thing with Dean…" Tears threatened, but Sam gulped not willing to show any weakness to the woman in front of him.

Her eyes softened as she inched closer to Sam. "It's ok Sam. I know how close you two are. Why don't we start over?" She slid her hand under Sam's T-shirt, her eyes asking and giving permission in one look.

Sam groaned and pulled her into his arms. As his lips met hers, he realized once again how much he loved her and needed her in his life. As he pulled her closer, he smiled. "You know, I've heard it's more fun after a fight—care to test the theory with me?"

A soft giggle was all the answer he needed as he closed his mind to all the questions and concerns. For now, the only thing he needed was in his arms.

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dean yawned as he rotated his head, trying to loosen up the stiff muscles in his shoulders. He'd been sitting outside the bedroom door for hours, afraid to leave in case something happened. Bobby had gone down to make them some dinner, which hopefully would be a good peace offering for the two love birds.

As he tried to get more comfortable, he heard the soft rumble of his brother's voice followed by a soft feminine giggle. "Oh God, they're awake" Dean groaned softly as he moved closer to the door. He felt like the worlds worst peeping Tom. Unfortunately, he couldn't take the chance that things wouldn't get out of hand. The two of them had already argued once.

A slight blush crept up Dean's face as he heard the definite sounds of his little brother having a romantic evening with the little minx. Rubbing his hand down his face, he wondered what Sam would say if he found him listening in. His little brother was already more than a little mad at him for the drugging incident. This would probably drive him even farther away. Pushing himself to his feet, he stood outside the door wondering if he should intrude or let nature take its course.

After all, he had been pushing Sam to have more fun. Hadn't he all but thrown his little brother at Sarah? But this, he wondered how his little brother would deal with the fact he had been having sex with the woman who'd shot him without blinking an eye. The same woman who had stolen the Colt after worming her way into their trust; maybe he should stop them before they got too far into it.

However, before he could open the door he heard sounds that definitely made him aware he was too late. His little brother was obviously enjoying himself and if the soft gasps meant anything so was Bella. There was no way he was going to burst in and interrupt his brother in the middle of…

"Hey Dean, whatcha doin?" Bobby asked as he stopped by the door, two cups of coffee in his hands.

"Ah—well—I mean…" Dean blushed and looked away just as another loud groan sounded from the room beyond along with the definite sound of springs moving on the king sized bed.

"Oh" Bobby simply said as he turned and started back down the stairs.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Dean asked, following him a few steps, obviously torn between giving his brother some privacy and protecting him from whatever the demi-god had planned for him.

"I'm goin' to finish up with dinner. From the sounds of things, that boy and gal are working up a real appetite." Bobby grinned, obviously enjoying Dean's discomfort at the current situation.

"Jeez Bobby, you didn't have to remind me. I mean, what's going to happen when he comes back to his senses—what if he's not using protection? Did you ever think about that? He wants to marry her for crying out loud!" Dean paced along the hallway, trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.

"Surely you or your Dad had that little chat with the boy. Don't worry Dean, the longer they are—ah—you know—the closer we get to the bewitching hour." Bobby laughed at the look on the oldest Winchester's face.

Dean shook his head remembering the day he'd had "The talk" with Sam. Just like everything else, his father had left that little chore up to him as well. He even remembered the girl's name, Stacey.

Sam had just turned sixteen and had come home with a huge blush on his face. Dean had seen the signs before this; his brother had been spending more time than usual in the bathroom in the morning. He always pulled out his best pair of jeans and shirts. Over night his brother had gone from the boy who slept until the last moment and went to school looking like he rolled out of bed to one of the guys they had always made fun of in the past. The only explanation was a girl.

"So Sammy, did you kiss her yet?" Dean asked as he watched his brother drop his books and head for the fridge. He was trying to hide behind his bangs, another sign his sibling was trying to keep things from his big brother.

"Noneofyourbusiness" Sam muttered, his head in the refrigerator coming out with the carton of milk. Sam quickly poured a glass of milk and grabbed a handful of cookies from the jar on the counter. He shoved a cookie in his mouth and began to leave the room.

Dean grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the table, kicking out a chair and motioning with his head for his stubborn brother to sit down. "I know you're head over heels about some chick—unless you're turning into one. It's the only reason you'd spend so much time in front of the mirror—so which is it?"

Sam sighed, looking down at the table as he traced the ring of milk left by the glass. "Her name is Stacey and no I haven't kissed her—she kissed me. I mean, one minute we were talking about the history test this Friday and then she was pushing me against the lockers and kissing me like there was no tomorrow. She even put her tongue in my mouth…" Sam blushed, hanging his head down again.

Dean almost choked trying to keep himself from laughing, the idea of his brother who now was slightly taller than him, being shoved up against a locker by some tiny girl—it was almost too much to ignore. But one look at his brother and he controlled himself. There would be time for ribbing later. "So, did you kiss her back Sammy? There's nothing like a little tonsil hockey to get the blood flowing…" Dean winked, trying to get his brother to open up more to him.

Sam glanced up, pressing his fingers to his lips as if he was remembering the kiss before he asked "Isn't it supposed to be me first Dean? I mean has a girl ever done it to you—kissed you before you even did anything?" The blush on his brother's face was priceless.

Dean paused and thought for a moment. "Well, normally no—but there was that girl in Somerville, of course, later on I managed to show her…"

"Ew…Deeeaann, I don't need to know. Honestly, I think I understand the basics…" Sam squirmed in his chair. "We have health and safety classes at school Dean; I don't need you to tell me about the birds and bees." Sam looked away obviously embarrassed.

"Dude, who said anything about the birds and the bees? I'm sure you got an A in the class, but I'm also sure they didn't cover how to ask the girl out now did they?" Dean watched as Sam shook his head.

"I thought so Sammy, because if you understood the basics, you wouldn't have kept the poor girl waiting. I mean, were you ever going to kiss her? Have you even asked her out yet?" Dean watched as Sam hung his head.

"I thought so…" Dean placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, squeezing it lightly before sitting down opposite his little brother.

"I don't know—I mean, what if she wants to you know or worse what if she says no?" Sam looked up at Dean for the first time, uncertainty clear in his hazel eyes.

"OK Sammy, first of all you need to ask the girl out. Get to know her a little more, kissing is ok and if you or the girl aren't comfortable with going further—you shouldn't do it. Some girls just like kissing and cuddling—you need to find out which she is. Of course, if she kissed you first, well you might want to prepare for going past first base and heading straight for home plate if you know what I mean. But if you want to go there, well all I can say is you need to be careful…"

Dean's mind returned to the present as he heard his brother's loud exclamation. "Obviously you've learned a few things since that talk eh Sammy?" He sat back down on the opposite wall, a smile gracing his lips as he noticed Bobby was no where to be seen. "Coward" Dean muttered softly as he got comfortable once more. With luck, his brother would be in a much better mood when he came out. At least from the sounds of things, he should be…

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Sam smiled as he watched Bella get up and pull on her robe. "Where are you heading?"

"A girl has to eat some time Sam, I'm going to take a quick shower and head downstairs." She knelt on the bed and leaned in for a quick kiss before standing and moving towards the bathroom.

"Feel like sharing?" Sam asked softly, moving to get out of bed and follow her.

"No thanks big boy, if we do that I'll never get dressed and we'll both starve." Bella laughed softly, closing the door and leaving Sam standing in the middle of the room.

Deciding he better get dressed as well, he grabbed his clothes. He had to admit he was feeling a little hungry as well. "I'm going downstairs…I'll meet you down there ok?"

"Fine, why don't you see what we have in the ice box? I think there might be some thing for sandwiches or there are numbers for local take-out places next to the phone." Bella replied, the sound of the shower starting as Sam headed for the door.

A soft knock on the door sounded as Sam began to turn the door knob. He opened the door and was surprised to see his brother on the other side. "What are you doing here Dean?"

"Bobby sent me up to see if you two were hungry—he ah—made dinner." Dean looked like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Sam remembered what had happened earlier as his eyes narrowed, taking in the wary look in his big brother's eyes. He wasn't quite ready to forgive him just yet.

"Fine, we'll come down for dinner—but I'm warning you Dean, one wrong word from you…" Sam paused; sure his message had been received. He watched as his big brother simply turned and began to walk down the stairs. Sam followed, unsure why he felt like he was the one in the wrong. Fingering the box in his pocket, he smiled. As soon as they finished dinner, he was going to ask her. Right in front of Dean and Bobby; his only family now; maybe then they'd see her the way he did and if not, then he'd be moving on.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Bella walked slowly down the stairs and listened to the laughter coming from the kitchen. She couldn't believe it was almost midnight and they were just now getting around to eating. In fact, she wondered why she had slept the whole day away—it wasn't like her, especially with strangers in her house.

As the conversation continued in the kitchen, she realized she heard two other male voices. Evidently Sam had found his brother and probably Bobby. She didn't know why that rankled, but it did. She didn't like having hunters in her home. Especially since she knew they all wanted the Colt. These men had already caused her to lose money, she would be damned if they were going to cost her this deal. Besides, something in the buyer's voice had caused her to shiver. She remembered the man on the phone warning her that the woman interested in purchasing the Colt was not someone to mess with.

While she'd been in the shower, her mind had gone over the argument she'd had with Sam earlier. The man had apologized, but she couldn't help but think he was only postponing the discussion. Deciding to check on the Colt, she moved silently towards the cabinet. She'd just move it to a safer location until she managed to get everything sussed out with Sam.

She smiled as she remembered the last couple of hours. Who knew the man could be so delicious. Of course, the strong silent types normally were more intense. Her stomach fluttered as she thought about returning to bed later with Sam in tow. Yes, she definitely was looking forward to her own little dessert with the younger Winchester.

As she opened the locked cabinet, her eyes immediately spied the neon green sticky note. After reading the words on the paper, any thoughts of making love later with Sam flew out the window. Her eyes became hard as she reached further inside and pulled out her own gun. Slipping it inside the waist band of her slacks, she was glad she'd worn a loose fitting top. It would hide the gun until the time was right.

She almost jumped as Sam walked out of the kitchen, a large smile on his face. Of course, he was smiling—he'd been keeping her entertained while his big brother searched the house for the gun. How could she have been so foolish? For a moment, she had thought…but no, just like all the hunters she'd ever met, they couldn't be trusted.

"Hey Bella, I'm glad you came down. Bobby cooked up some pasta…" Sam stopped and stared at her and for a moment, she almost believed he loved her. As she pulled the gun from its hiding place and aimed it at him, he actually looked confused.

"Where is it Sam?" Bella asked calmly, flipping the safety off the gun.

"Where's what Bella? Why are you holding a gun on me?" Sam held out his hands in a placating manner. His voice trembled slightly as he moved a little closer to her. He was treating her like she was a frightened child.

Backing up a few steps, she felt the rage continuing to build within her. This man had used her, used her body to get what he wanted. He'd never loved her; he only wanted the damn gun. "You know Sam, I almost believed you. I have to admit you're pretty good. I would have expected something like this from Dean, but not you." Bella watched as Dean and Bobby came from the kitchen.

"You two stay right where you are!" Bella pointed the gun at Sam's heart. "As you know, I'm an expert shot and this time I won't be aiming for his shoulder!"

"Whoa, hold on Bella. Why don't you tell us what has you so upset?" Dean looked at the clock and saw it was eleven fifty-five. He need only five more minutes before the damn curse should be over.

"Bella, I love you—I wanted to ask you to marry me—see…Argh!" Sam cried out as the gun barked. As he pulled the box from his pocket, his eyes searched for Bella. The red stain began spreading on the front of his shirt, blossoming outward even as he continued to move towards her.

"Sammy!" Dean cried as he moved to grab his brother. A second shot sounded, the bullet whizzing by his ear as he ducked. "Damn it Bella, stop shooting or so help me, I'll kill you!"

"No Dean, you can't kill her, please I want her—I'm going to ask her—to—to—marry me…" Sam fell to his knees, the box slipping from his fingers as his eyes began to close. Bella watched in horror as the box bounced across the floor and landed at her feet. She continued to aim the gun at the remaining hunters, even as her mind refused to believe what she'd heard. It wasn't possible, Sam had been using her.

"Don't move any of you!" Bella called out as she bent to retrieve the box. Her fingers shook as she opened the box and saw the ring inside. Tears gathered in her eyes as she realized Sam had been telling her the truth. The gun shook in her hand as she backed away from the hunters, her eyes landing on the motionless form of Sam in front of her.

"Oh God, what have I done?" Bella whispered.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dean's world stopped as he watched his brother fall. No, it couldn't be—Sam couldn't be dead. He'd made a deal so that his brother would live. His eyes watched as Bella picked up the box and opened it. He knew what was inside; it was the ring Sam had bought for Jessica.

"You bitch! I'm going to kill you!" Dean ground out as he started to move towards her. But the gun in her hand stopped him. Even though she was upset, she had the presence of mind to keep the gun aimed at him. He heard Bobby shifting slightly behind him and knew the older hunter wouldn't hesitate to shoot if the opportunity presented itself.

Ignoring her for the moment, he moved to kneel beside the motionless form of his brother. He could see the pool of blood, the scent something he would never get used to. Especially when it was coming from his little brother, how many times had he seen his brother's blood? "Sammy, come on, you can't do this—not now." Dean was afraid to turn him over.

Sam was too still.

The feelings he's experience when Jake stabbed Sam returned full force. He couldn't go through that again, he just couldn't. He was frozen, unable to move, his breath catching in his throat as visions of his brother's limp body returned. The bed where his brother's body had lain while Dean's world crashed around him was all he could see.

It had all been for nothing. The deal, fighting the demons that have been released, all of it meant nothing if Sam was dead; the world be damned. Once again they'd given their all and this was what happened. Only this time it wasn't a demon, but a demi-god who got off watching others suffer for its own sick pleasure. How were they supposed to win when everything in the world seemed to be against them? For the second time in his life, Dean felt himself giving up. It was too much, he was too small—if there was a real God, then let him fight the battle because Dean Winchester was done.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Bobby watched in horror as the youngest Winchester fell to the floor. It took all he had not to shoot the woman standing in front of them. Sam had become like his own son, he was family and this woman may have just killed him. He strained to see any sign of life, but there was nothing.

He heard the soft sob coming from Dean as knelt beside his brother. He had seen that look before and he swore he'd never see it again. Yet, he stood by and watched as Dean sunk into himself, unmoving as his eyes grew distant and blank. He had to stop this, had to make things right for the boys.

Suddenly he saw movement as Bella backed away from the two men in front of her. Her eyes filled with tears as she clutched the box in her hand. Bobby glanced at the clock and saw it was almost midnight. A few more precious seconds and the curse should be over. But from the looks of things, it wouldn't matter.

"I shot him—Oh God, I shot him…" Bella kept muttering to herself as she moved towards the corner of the room. Her eyes weren't seeing anything but the body in front of her. Bobby realized she was also in danger now. Not from him or Dean but herself. He'd seen that look in more than one person in his lifetime.

"Bella, girl you need to calm down. It will be all right, you'll see…" Bobby moved slowly towards the woman, no longer worried about the gun still pointing at him. He had to get it away from her, contain her until things could be sorted out. He wouldn't see another person die because of this fool curse.

He watched as she stood with her back in the corner, her hands shaking. He had to reach her somehow before it was too late. "Listen to me; I want you to do just one thing for me. Wait five more minutes—just five minutes and then I won't stop you."

Bella swallowed and looked at Bobby, "What are you talking about?"

"You and Sam, you were both affected by a curse. I don't have time to go into it all right now, but you know about the things out there. You and the boy were part of a demi-god's sick joke. That thing has been responsible for a number of deaths—all of them couples who either kill each other or die because they were never meant to be." Bobby watched as Bella tried to absorb what he was saying. The clock began to chime as midnight finally came to the quiet house.

As the twelfth chime wrung, Bobby watched and held his breath. Bella blinked and shook her head. After a moment, he saw the horror once more in her eyes. Even though the curse had been lifted, apparently the aftermath still needed to be dealt with. "How are you feelin' girl?" Bobby asked quietly, moving so that he was between her and the two men on the floor.

"Is he—is he…" Bella stammered, her self assured manner clearly still not in place as she tried to understand what was happening.

"I don't know Bella; I haven't had a chance to check on him just yet. First I need you to give me the gun ok?" Bobby continued to inch forward, he put his own gun in his waist band, holding his hand out to show her he meant no harm. Part of him wanted the woman to suffer for what she'd done, but he also understood this wasn't her doing. At least not all of it; he'd deal with the Colt issue after everything was sorted out. Unfortunately, the girl in front of him had other ideas.

"Stay away! Sam's right, I'm selfish. I should have listened to him—but now it's too late…." Bella quickly pointed the gun at her temple. "Don't worry Bobby; I'll save you and Dean the trouble…"

TBC

Raven524: Ok, so lets take a poll—how many want her to pull the trigger?