Chapter 9, Prior Claim

As promised, Dean arrived fifteen minutes later, Ellie clinging sleepily to his shoulder with Cassie looking tired and pissed just a few steps behind. Her demeanor did not brighten when she saw the apartment. Her sharp eyes took in the damage, then wandered possessively to the stranger asleep in her bedroom.

"What the hell is she doing here," Cassie hissed, glaring at Dean. She and Dean were obviously been going through one of their off again phases. It was a game that Sam had never understood, one that he knew better than to get involved in.

"Sam, would you?" Dean motioned for his younger brother to take Ellie's clingy form off his hands. Sam received his niece expertly, shooting his brother a questioning look. Dean shrugged in irritation, which Sam took as his cue to leave. Sam closed the door on the argument that quickly ensued as he left the room.

Ellie's room was a little worse for wear, but Sam had managed to put things back in order. Tinkerbell was the theme of the day, probably since Ellie had seen the real deal last summer. Dean and Sam had taken the kids to a cabin in northern California and had recognized the signs of a fairy nest on one of the hills beyond the house. The brothers had taken Ellie and John to witness the pixies' comings and goings. Sam smiled as he remembered the wonder that had played across the kids' faces. It was one of the rare times that the family secrets brought joy rather than the fear that was now playing across his nieces face. He felt it in the tightening of her grip around his neck as he went to deposit her on the bed.

"Uncle Sam?" Sam smiled tenderly as he pulled her close, taking a seat on the child's bed.

"What is it, honey?" Sam's voice was gentle and his touch seemed to reassure Ellie.

"Is the bad thing coming?" She whispered, brown eyes wide.

Sam let out a breath, feeling the weight of the truth heavy on his shoulders. Why was it their family had been chosen to bare this burden? "I don't know, sweetheart, but your dad and I are here and I promise that we won't let anything happen to you."

Ellie nodded trustingly, but the fear was not completely dispelled. "Why did it wreck our house?" she asked, hurt.

Sam gathered her in his spacious arms. "I don't know," he responded again.

"Don't you know anything?" Ellie demanded, with a hint of exasperation that brought a smile to Sam's lips.

"I know that you should be in bed," Sam said pointedly, plopping Ellie onto the comforter and tickling her as he arranged the blankets and tucked her in.

Ellie giggled and accepted the kiss on her forehead as her due. As Sam searched for the box of rock salt, she regarded him with sleepy eyes.

"Are mommy and daddy fighting?" She asked as Sam completed the protective ring.

"It's nothing for you to worry about, baby." Sam said quietly, stepping carefully over the white line to gently smooth her unruly curls. "Just try and get some sleep, okay?"

"Is daddy going to leave again?" She asked, eyes filling with exhausted tears.

"Hey," Sam said tenderly, bending to kiss her forehead again. "Your daddy loves you…and he always comes back, right?"

Ellie nodded and quickly wiped away the tear that had fallen hot down her cheek.

"Goodnight, rosebud," Sam said, using his own special nickname for his niece.

"G'night, Uncle Sammy."

Sam paused as he watched Ellie's breath steady and her eyes close. He whispered a powerful benediction, one that he had learned from Pastor Jim long ago, asking God for her safety. Then he turned on the nightlight, smiling at the soft blue light the tinkerbell lamp cast on the child's bedroom, and gently slipped through the doorway.

Dean and Cassie were still at each other's throats.

"Are you saying this is my fault?" Cassie demanded angrily.

"No, of course not," Dean hissed back, "All I am saying is that this shouldn't have happened. I mean, for God's sake, Cassie."

"What Dean? How the fuck was I supposed to know?"

"I—"

"YOU weren't here," Cassie interrupted. "You're never fucking here, Dean."

"What I am doing is important, it saves lives, Cassie." Dean responded with his typical defensive.

"What about your daughter, Dean? What about her life? You're missing it!"

Dean's face was dark. He turned away in silent rage. Cassie's words had stung, in part because they were so close to the truth. Sam moved in, a desire to protect his brother placing him between the dueling parties. "Come on, guys," He said desperately. "This isn't solving anything."

When there was no response from Dean, Sam barked "Come on, Dean. We have to focus here."

Dean sniffed angrily and nodded tersely. "Well," he said, "I think we know what they're after."

"What?" Sam asked, oblivious.

"Me." Cassie said, her voice flat.

"What? Why?"

"Because of this," Cassie said, pulling the hair off her neck and revealing a dark design.

"Is it a tattoo?" Sam asked uncertainly, coming closer to examine it.

"No," Dean answered, "Cassie's been claimed." He looked at her like she was dirty, then turned away.

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Author's Note: Thanks for reading. Love the reviews!