Darcy's brain played a dull beat against her skull. She knew her head-ache was no where near as bad as Sam's but still, the constant throbbing was driving her insane. She turned around to face the closest motel bed, and her eyes softened as she looked at his sleeping form. His skin was pale and clammy, small beads of perspiration evident on his features. A line of pain was firmly creased into his forehead as he tossed and turned before her.
She moved over to his side and sat down next to him, running a hand through his sweat-matted hair. A new wave of pain ran through her system as her skin touched his and she bit her lip down hard to avoid waking Sam with her shudders. Ever since his vision in the car he had begun to get assaulted with constant visions. Almost like it was making up for the months it had been away. Darcy's own 'powers' had started to reappear, she could already hear voices. But it wasn't the pain of the head-ache, nor the pain from the spasms that hurt Darcy the most, it was listening to Dean's thoughts.
Dean was intent on blaming Darcy for Sam's current state. For the whole two months that she had left Sam's side, he never had another vision. As soon as she had come back they had come back in full force. The fact that Dean believed she was hurting Sam felt like a stab wound. She looked down at her boyfriend and watched him draw in a shaky breath, small whimpers leaving his lips as another vision took over. She ran her hand through his hair once more before she stood up and walked over to where Dean was researching the hunt. He looked at her, concern for his brother the only emotion on his face.
"How is he?"
Dean's voice was low and hoarse, mostly from yelling at Darcy to do something. She shook her head and allowed a small glance back to the bed before she sat down and pressed her palms against her temples.
"I don't know. His mind is in so much chaos I can't even enter it. It scares me Dean,' she could feel tears form in her eyes and felt a hard lump in her throat. 'I can't stop it. I don't want to see him this way."
Dean's face remained emotionless as he pulled Darcy to him, cradling her in his arms as she sobbed into his chest. She was surprised at his action, but it provided a small amount of comfort. He whispered into her ear as he rubbed a hand down her back.
"I know, I'm scared too. He's my baby brother."
Darcy opened her mouth to thank Dean when she felt her entire body spasm. She felt the warmth leave her body, like it was being sucked out of her system. She shivered and gasped as pins and needles shot through her body, the tingling sensation almost paralysing her. She almost sobbed in relief when it subsided, only to cry out as her head exploded in pain. She opened her eyes to catch Dean's expression of utter terror. She turned her head towards Sam, who was jerking about on his bed. Unconsciousness threatened to take her but she cleared her head, releasing herself from Dean's hold and curling up.
"Go to Sammy, he needs you more."
He nearly flew to his brother's side, rolling him over so he could prevent Sam from injuring himself more. She uncurled herself before she made herself sick and stumbled to the other bed; what ever was affecting her must have been afflicting the other children. She fell onto the bed and her body released the tension immediately. Beside her Sam had quietened down, his cries of agony reduced to dull moans. Dean looked like he had been run over by a truck and he gave her a weak smile.
"Huh. I guess I'm glad I don't have any superpowers then. Besides being super sexy of course."
She returned the smile, raising a hand to point at the door and slurred out the words.
"Oh, it's a curse Dean, it's a curse. Daddy's at the door."
Dean glanced over at the now mute Darcy. It scared the hell out of him at what his brother was going through. He allowed himself one last look at his younger brother before he walked over to the door, opening it cautiously. The tall, well built form of his father filled the doorway and he gave Dean a small grin. Dean turned around to face Darcy, and she waved weakly at John before she resumed her collapsed position in the bed. Dean could see the confusion in his father's eyes as he stepped in, giving the room a once over before turning around to face his son.
"Dean. Why haven't you put up a salt barrier in here?' He watched his father scan the room once more before his eyes fell on his youngest. Darcy had managed to move from Dean's bed and back next to Sam, cradling his head in her lap. 'What's wrong with Sammy?"
Darcy answered him, her voice low and soft.
"Nothing. His visions is all. And don't you ever come in here and accuse your son of being lax again. Dean's done more for Sammy then you ever have."
Her eyes flashed angrily and John took a seat on the nearby chair, running a hand through his hair. For a moment Dean could have sworn that he was about to hit Darcy for being a smart-mouth (hell, even he was surprised by her reaction.) Dean folded his arms across his chest and leant against the now closed door.
"Why are you here dad?"
John looked across to Dean, taking in his son. He sighed and stood up, moving over to the window and peered out. Dean waited patiently for his father to answer.
"I never thought you would team up with a Valover. The whole family is buckets of crazy.' Dean could see anger flare up in Darcy and she bristled. 'But her father has to be one of the best damn hunter's I've ever seen."
Darcy's voice broke the silence that settled her tone almost fearful and hopeful at the same time.
"My father's alive? I mean, recently alive? I mean… hell, the bastard's alive?"
Darcy watched as John faced her, his eyes running over her before he answered her. She knew where the boys got most of their looks, and also the freakish intimidation that Dean liked to use.
"Yeah, helped me with a job about two months back. Did you know your sister's dead?"
She laughed bitterly and reached over to grab a nearby flannel. She pressed it gently to his head and then looked back at his father.
"I should know; I was the one that killed her."
He looked shocked at her confession and she smiled somewhat at the fact. However that soon faded when John spoke up once more, his attention now fully onto her.
"You do realise that your father was half shape-shifter."
Darcy felt her mouth drop open. John was kidding of course, there could be no way that he father was half-freak. There was no way that she could be one quarter freak. She shuddered and looked over to Dean. There was confusion in his eyes, followed by the cogs in his brain turning as he put the whole sister thing together. He cursed.
"You're a quarter shape-shifter?"
He looked at her dangerously, almost as if he was claiming that she was going to hurt Sammy more than he already thought she was. John on the other hand looked like he thought it was perfectly normal, and he just leant back in his chair and watched the scene before him unfold. Darcy wrenched her hands away from Sam, almost afraid that she would hurt him like her sister had.
"No. Emali was just a fluke. My father's not half shape-shifter.' She looked pleadingly at Dean, trying desperately to find some solace. 'I would never hurt Sammy!"
"It's Sam…"
Darcy's eyes looked down to where Sam had recently re-awoken. He looked terrible, but at least some colour had returned to his pale face. She gave him a small encouraging smile and stroked the side of his head gently. Dean walked over to Darcy's side and sat down, peering into his brother's face with concern.
"You ok bro?"
Sam made a move to sit up but was forced down by both Darcy and Dean. John watched silently from his seat, minutes passing before Sam noticed his father.
"Dad? What the hell are you doing here?"
John smiled and moved to the end of the bed, efficiently boxing Sam in from all sides.
"That's some way to greet your father kiddo. I came here because I need your help."
The expressions on all three faces changed immediately as they grew curious. Dean wrenched his eyes away from his father long enough to pass Darcy some water so she could help Sammy sip the liquid. She thanked him, pressing the rim to Sam's lips as John continued to speak.
"The spirits, they're more powerful than I thought. But, with Valover here, we should be able to vanquish them."
Darcy giggled and then looked up to face the two older men. She brushed a hand through her hair and then placed the water down on the floor next to her foot.
"Sorry. You do realise that the ghosts have been targeting people being hanky-panky-'
'Hanky-panky?"
Her eyes flashed over to Dean who looked at her with an incredulous expression, shocked that anyone used words like that. Darcy rolled her eyes and continued to speak.
"Yes Dean, hanky-panky. You do know what it means don't you?"
"Of course."
"Good. From what I gathered, it should just be a routine hunt. Nothing to worry about."
"Famous last words."
Darcy rolled her eyes again, not expecting a retort from John.
"Valover, your eyes are going to get permanently stuck if you keep rolling them like that."
"It's Darcy not bloody Valover."
The air singed for a bit with the glares that the two exchanged before Dean cleared his throat. Darcy sighed and shifted her position so Sam could sit up. Sam took the silence as an opportunity and piped up once he had gotten comfortable.
"It's not the spirits is it dad?"
John sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked a lot older than he was, and he rubbed at the scar down his cheek.
"No Sammy, it's not the spirits. It's who they're working for."
"… and they are?"
"Not important enough for you to worry about."
Darcy scoffed and picked up the glass, handing it to Sam once more so he could take another sip. The pain from what-ever it was before had completely left her, although she was still worried about Sam. He looked over to her and gave a small smile, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her to his side. John caught the interaction and spoke with disbelief in his voice.
"I don't believe it. Sam Winchester, you tell me you aren't in love with her."
Sam looked at his father with confusion in his eyes, pulling his arm away from Darcy as his father glared at her.
"Dammit Sammy. You can't be with her. Hunting by her side is dangerous enough. You-'
"Don't tell me who I want to be with dad. Just don't."
Sam stood up angrily and moved over to the door, slamming it shut behind him as he left the room. Darcy sighed and rubbed her eyes, ignoring the death glare from John. Dean didn't even make a wise comment. She stood up and faced him, shoving the glass of water into his chest and moving away from the two men.
"I hope you know what you're doing John Winchester. Cos I sure as hell don't."
She moved towards the door and opened it, also slamming it shut behind her. John sighed loudly and returned to the chair he had previously occupied. He spoke aloud, trying to comprehend what he was thinking.
"Where did I go wrong?"
"Probably where you always do Dad. Telling Sam what to do. I'm going to pack the gear, the sooner we get this over with the better."
John watched as his eldest left the room, leaving himself alone to ponder his thoughts. He couldn't tell his boys what was really in Greenbelt, not yet.
Darcy placed a hand on Sam's arm, squeezing it gently as she leant back on the wall. Sam continued to glare at the pick-up truck next to the impala, almost like he was willing the car to burn up and melt into the ground. He sighed and turned back to her, a smirk over his face.
"I'm sorry about Dad Darcy."
She placed a finger to his lips and then kissed him softly. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close, her voice soon hushing into a murmur.
"Don't be Sammy. At least your dad cares for you. He was right, my family is all 'buckets of crazy.' 'Specially my mom."
Sam allowed a small laugh, brushing off her statement. He kissed the top of her head.
"Hey, I like crazy. Beats boring and normal any day. And it's Sam."
"Whatever crazy man. Whatever."
A/N: My chapter's keep getting longer! Anyway, family drama, crazy people, tender moments... what more could you want? Right- Read, enjoy and review! Oh yeah, and from now on there'll only be weekly updates but I should be coughing out 2 chapters a weekend. xD