Author's Note: General spoilers for season 8. If you haven't noticed this story is a little AU because I will not be covering anything major in the plot-lines of the series. Special thanks to DemonSkitty and Leana Nas for their recent comments and support! And thanks to every reader! I love feedback so don't be shy.

"Where are you taking us?" I asked through gritted teeth. Dean wasn't exactly a conscientious driver and any trace of pain killer was long gone. I held my shoulder with my good arm as if it could stop the pain or at least steady it. "Could you drive a little more hurky-jerky? I don't think your hitting enough of the potholes."

Dean glared at me from the rearview mirror, a look I was getting used to from him. "Sorry, I was really trying to hit them all. I will do better next time." He rolled his eyes, but I did notice the ride was smoother after that.

"We are taking you somewhere safe. Actually, I need you to put these on." Sam passed us two black blindfolds.

I gave him an incredulous glance, but nodded for Nerin to put it on me. This whole ordeal was becoming a lot more than I bargained for. I just wanted to keep Nerin safe and out of the cold, and now I was shot and we were riding in a car with hunters who just had us blindfolded and were taking us to an unknown destination. Yep, definitely was not going according to plan. I reached out and held Nerin's hand. He squeezed it, and I smiled because it felt like he was reassuring me. How did I end up so lucky to have him in my life. Oh, if only his father could see him now.

I heard a click and then jumped a little as Let There Be Rock started blaring from the back speaker. Figures a guy like Dean would be into old Rock.

"Dean." The volume went down a few clicks.

"What?" He pretended to be innocent, as the sound went up another click.

Damn. I wish they would stop acting so human. It was really making it hard to hate them. But then I remembered what happened in Maine with those monsters. All the screaming and the smell of burnt flesh came flooding back into my mind, and it became a lot easier to hate them again.

About twelve AC/DC songs later and the Impala came to a stop. "Alright, we are here." Sam hollered as if the blindfolds affected our hearing or something. Maybe it was just the after-effects of loud Rock 'n' Roll.

Sam opened my door and helped me out of the vehicle. I was again taken aback with how gentle he and Dean were being each time they helped me. He was careful to support my good side and not bump my injured shoulder at all. "Alright this way."

"Nerin?" Anxiety filled me as I wondered if this was all a tick and that these Winchesters were really just going to take him away from me and do who knows what to me.

"I'm okay." Relief washed over me.

"We aren't going to hurt your brother. I promise." Sam whispered into my ear as we walked down a flight of stairs.

Something about Sam felt so comforting. I just wanted to believe every word he said. He was so strong, yet gentle and compassionate. I wished things were different, that we didn't have to be enemies. Then maybe we could have been something else.

I heard the scratching of furniture moving across the floor and then I was being softly pushed down into a chair and it sounded like the same was being done for Nerin. Wherever we were smelled like dust and old fast-food.

"You can take your blindfolds off now." Sam informed us.

I slowly lifted mine from my eyes and had to blink a few times so that they could adjust to the lighting. I was surprised to find myself in a well-furnished building. My eyes darted around the room as I searched for easy escape routes, something that had become like second nature to me after years of being on the run. I immediately noticed the lack of windows and speculated that we were somewhere underground given the flight of stairs we just descended. I also noticed the how old everything looked and wondered how a couple of young hunters scored a place like this, they probably stole it from some rich doomsday fool. Since there were no windows, it looked like the only way Nerin and I were getting out of here was back through the way we came. Which is not ideal to say the least.

I was seated at a table and Nerin was to my left. I looked him over to make sure he was okay and he seemed calm despite the circumstances. Sam was leaning against a wall nearby and Dean was pulling up a chair directly across the table from me.

"So, now what?" It was an honest question. I had never been in this vulnerable of a situation before.

Dean looked me over, taking his time before replying, "Now we get down to business. How about you show us what you really are?"

I shifted nervously in my seat and began taking off Dean's leather jacket as the room suddenly felt like it was stifling hot. I sucked in a breath as I remembered my throbbing shoulder and how hard it was to undress with one hand.

To my surprise, Sam came over quickly, "Here, let me give you a hand."

"Thanks." I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah… uh no problem." Sam replied awkwardly as he set the jacket of the table next to Dean before arriving back to his spot leaning against the wall.

"Oh, so when he gets to be a gentleman its normal, but when I do it, it's a crime?" Dean said in mock-offense. "Anyways, you going to avoid this all day or just get this over with?"

I paused a lot longer than I should have. I guess there is no way I'm getting out of this unless I tell them the truth. "Okay… well it would be easier if I just showed you. Do you have a bathtub?"

Sam and Dean both gave me incredulous looks before replying in unison, "A bathtub?"

"Uh yeah… I need water to show you." I sheepishly responded as I took off my sunglasses.

Sam's stare intensified as we made eye contact. His light brown eyes were captivating. They held so much emotion. If Sam Winchester had a poker face, it must not have been a very good one because I felt like I could read every emotion in his eyes. I searched for the anger or disgust that I almost always found on hunter's faces when they saw my eyes, but instead I just found curiosity and caution.

Dean on the other hand looked very uneasy and gripped the hilt of his knife a little tighter. It was enough to bring me back from my wandering thoughts about Sam.

"Yeah, okay. How about you just tell me what you are. Is this some kind of trick? A bathtub?" Dean stood as he spoke, his voice raising with every syllable and pointed his knife at me.

"Dean." Sam grabbed his brother's shoulder and jerked him around. "Dean, it's fine. I think if she wanted to hurt us she would have done it already. Besides she is injured, so I'm sure we can handle whatever she is. It's two to one right."

Dean paused, and held his brother's gaze before replying, "Alight Sammy." Dean sheathed his knife and slapped his brother's arm away from him. "When this all goes downhill, don't say I didn't warn you. Come on Green Eyes, the bathroom is this way."

I turned towards Nerin, "Hey Nerin. Stay here okay. I will be fine I promise. Just play with Aquaman till I get back." Nerin obediently went and grabbed his backpack that was sitting nearby and retrieved his beloved toy.

Sam reached his arm out and silently offered to help me up. I smiled at him and he nodded and awkwardly avoided eye contact. I tried my best not to show how much pain I was in. Man, I hope I never get shot again.

We made our way through a kitchen and down a hall into a fairly large bathroom with an old bronze tub in the corner. Dean was standing next to it with his arms crossed. I noticed he had turned the water on and steam was rising from the tub. I felt excitement burst through my chest. I hadn't done this in a long time and I really missed the water. "Can you guys give me a moment?"

"Not a chance. The second we leave your going to try something." Dean snapped.

"Well, then can you at least be a gentleman and close your eyes?"

Dean blushed a little and looked at Sam who already had his back turned from us. Dean looked me over once, I suppose to make sure I hadn't turned into a monster yet and then begrudgingly squeezed his eyes shut.

"Thanks."

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Just get on with it."

I worked as fast as I could to remove the bloodied jeans and stepped tentatively into the hot bathwater. It was way too hot, but I didn't have time to take it easy. I already felt the transformation starting. Easing myself gently into the water, I dunked my head under like I had a few hundred times before and emerged anew.

"You can open your eyes now."

Secondary Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Feedback is much appreciated. I'd love to hear some guesses as to what Arrie is!