Here's chapter six : ) Things are starting to move along a bit now. Sheriff Mills will be making an appearance next Chapter, and we might get a glimpse into Aiyla's past as well. Feedback would be much appreciated…even if it is just to say whether or not this is a story you'd be interested to read more of. Thanks : )

Chapter 6

Aiyla would have been content to lie there watching the sky for hours; however the pains of her body and gruff male voices eventually forced her to return to the harsh truth of reality.

"Someone has got to treat her, so who is it going to be?"

Aiyla turned her head toward the voices, noting as she did so that she was in a large, sparsely furnished room. The walls were covered in symbols. Warding symbols she realized. The voices filtered from beyond a massive metal door.

"She's covered from head to toe in injuries. Somehow I can't imagine she'll appreciate a scruffy old drunk seeing her in the buff. I'm out."

Aiyla blinked…they were talking about her.

"Oh hell no, don't look at me! My bedside manner sucks. I ain't touching her. Sammy, you do it…wait no…Cass how about you?"

"The last memory she has of me is one of terror Dean, I do not think that wise."

Aiyla flinched, recognizing the deep voice of the man who had tried to kill her. Aiyla suddenly felt far too vulnerable lying on her back. Grimacing, she struggled to sit up. However, she had forgotten about her mangled wrist, and a strangled yelp escaped her the moment she tried to place weight on it. She froze, clapping her hand to her mouth with her good hand.

It was too late. The voices ceased. Aiyla's eyes grew wide at the sound of a bolt sliding out of place, and then the big door swung wide. The Winchesters, Bobby Singer and her would be killer peered inside. Aiyla's trepidation lessened slightly, when she noted the almost comical expressions of nervous terror all four men wore. Was it possible that these four big brutes were actually afraid of her? Or rather she amended, treating a girl.

The tallest one who had said he was Sam cleared his throat uncomfortably. He stumbled across the threshold when Dean Winchester shoved him from behind, "You got this Sammy."

Sam rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat again, taking a few steps toward her. "Listen, we're not going to hurt you ok? In fact we kind of saved you…so ah…"

Aiyla darted her eyes to the one who had tried to kill her. Sam followed her wide-eyed gaze. "Don't worry about him, he's not going to hurt you. In fact he's really sorry about before, aren't you Cass?"

The green eyed Winchester and Bobby shoved her would be killer through the doorway. He stumbled and righted himself with an annoyed glance back at the two. But then he sighed and focused his piercing blue eyes on her. Aiyla's breath caught in her throat…such beautiful eyes for a killer. It wasn't just their color that captured her interest…it was the pensive…almost sad expression they reflected. They were eyes that had seen much, and held an odd pairing of wisdom and confused quizzicality that fascinated her.

He shuffled closer, "I…ah…apologize for trying to kill you. I mistakenly thought you were an abomination at the time. However, I have since revised my ah…opinion… somewhat." He let out a surprised grunt when Sam elbowed him in the ribs with a glower. "Umm, perhaps abomination was too strong a word. What I meant to say was…well…"

Bobby rolled his eyes and finally crossed the threshold. "Just shut up Casanova, at the rate your going, your gonna dig yourself a hole clear to Beijing."

Aiyla tried to smile, but her dry, cracked lips pulled painfully and she ended up grimacing instead. It was difficult to remain fearful when four towering men suddenly turned into tongue-tied boys. Aiyla tried to speak, to put them at ease. Unfortunately, only a strangled croak came out. Her raw, overtaxed vocal cords could manage no more.

Dean, the only one left hovering in the doorway, finally seemed to gather his nerve and stepped through, "Something's wrong with her voice."

The one called Casanova walked to her side and began to reach out a hand. He hesitated however, and nodded to her throat, "May I?"

Aiyla nodded warily. His touch was gentle as he placed his fingers on her throat and closed his eyes. "Her vocal chords have been grossly overtaxed." He opened his eyes and captured her gaze, "From screaming I believe." No one had to ask why.

Sitting on the bed next to her, he engulfed the delicate column of her throat with his whole hand. She closed her eyes and swallowed, fighting the urge to recoil. The knowledge that he could strangle her with little to no effort ghosted through her thoughts and she repressed a shudder. He was only trying to help. Don't be a baby….Don't be a baby.

"I am going to attempt to heal some of the damage done to your body. Relax if you can."

Warmth swamped her throat, soothing and sweet. Aiyla opened her eyes to watch his face. His own eyes were closed; his brow furrowed in concentration. Strain ghosted across his features. Slowly, the raw ache that had lingered in her throat, eased and then disappeared. Eyes still closed, he slid his hand down her arm to her wrist. Aiyla flinched when her bones shifted back to their proper places. He briefly opened his eyes to study her face when he felt her jerk, gauging her distress. Seeming to decide she was ok, he closed them again. Cool pulsing ice enveloped the appendage, and the throbbing ache eased. Sweat broke out on his brow, but he did not stop. He slid his hand down to her hip. Grasping at the blanket that covered her legs, he slid the material high on her thighs, taking her dress along with it. Aiyla briefly noted that the 3 hunters suddenly averted their gazes, looking anywhere but the bed. The barest hint of a smile ghosted across her face. Her healer fingered a blood-encrusted strand of the yarn that threaded her thighs. She gasped when the yarn disappeared as if by magic. The angry, inflamed flesh dotted with punctures were the only testament that it had ever been there at all. Swaying slightly, Cass placed shaking hands high on each of her thighs, slowly sliding his palms down to her knees. The flesh revealed by his retreating hands was new and pink, all signs of infection wiped away. Blood began to trickle from his nose and he swayed again. His right arm snaked out to clutch at the headboard to keep from falling on top of her. The position brought his face mere inches from hers. She could feel the heated puff of his breath against her neck. A droplet of his blood splashed onto her collarbone, startling her from her daze.

Aiyla murmured in dismay and reached up her good hand, placing it against his stubbled jaw. Blue light flashed and his eyes widened in surprise. He reached his hand up touch his nose, pulling it away to find it clean. Reaching out, he swiped at the crimson that now trickled from her own nose. "You should not have done that. My kind heals far faster than you seem to. Now be still, I'll set your ankle and then we'll see about your ribs."

Aiyla knit her brows and shook her head vigorously, trying her voice, "No. You have done enough. The rest can be treated conventionally."

Castiel cocked his head to the side. Her voice was beautiful. She had a lilting accent that only served to heighten the gentle caress of her words. It matched the purity of her eyes perfectly. He searched her face, and then nodded. "If that is your wish I will honor it." He tried to stand, however he began swaying like a drunkard and sank back down beside her almost immediately.

"Woah Cass, just sit tight for a minute." Castiel and Aiyla started, they both seemed to have forgotten the other men remained in the room. Dean clasped a hand to Cass's shoulder, keeping him from toppling right off the bed.

Bobby whistled, sidling up to look at Aiyla. "Damned if the halfpint don't look a mite better already.

Cass shook his head, "She is far from better. "I managed to remove the infection from the lash marks on her back, but if they are not dressed and treated, the infection will return. The same goes for the cuts on her arms. Her ankle needs to be set and wrapped. She has three cracked ribs as well that need binding. I set her wrist, however it is not healed, she'll need it splinted in some way."

Aiyla was suddenly weary to the bone. Sleep called to her seductively. She fought against it. "Thank you Casanova."

Dean's eyes grew wide as saucers, and then a slow grin spread across his face. He guffawed, doubling over in mirth, holding his sides. Sam moved quickly, replacing Dean's suddenly absent grip on Cass's shoulder, with his own. "

Dean wiped at the tears in his eyes, "Casanova…that's a good one, whew."

Aiyla furrowed her brow, "I don't understand, is Casanova not your name?"

Sam snickered, "No, it's just a nickname Bobby pulled out of his Ass."

Aiyla nodded her head, "Oh. I see." She didn't really. Not at all. She turned her gaze to her healer expectantly.

He rose unsteadily to his feet, clutching Sam's shoulder for balance. "I am called Castiel. I am an angel of the Lord."

Shock burned through Aiyla's weariness and her jaw dropped. "An angel? Truly? Aunt Amee spoke of your kind often, but I never thought I would get the chance to meet one."

The hunters exchanged glances over her head, surprised. Bobby cleared his throat, "You ah…you know about these guys? Not just bible stories…but really know about them?"

Aiyla nodded, "Of course, Aunt Amee taught me well." She fought a yawn, eyes drooping.

Dean tucked his chin, "Who is Amee? And while we're at it, how old are you, how long did Crowley have you, and what the hell did he want with you?"

Castiel held up a hand, "She is exhausted Dean, let her rest. We can question her later."

Bobby looked at Cass as if he had grown a second head, "Well look at you Mr. Rogers. When did you grow a heart and get all empathetic?"

Cass shrugged, "She needs rest in order to heal properly. It is common sense, nothing more Bobby."

Sam scoffed, "You just keep telling yourself that. But I agree, we should let her rest." Looking down at her he smiled, "Just one question first…we can't keep referring to you as 'girl.' What's your name?"

She smiled back, closing her eyes. "Aiyla, my name is Aiyla." And then she let sleep take her.