Chapter Nine

John felt absolutely sick to his stomach as he drove to the hospital, he was still in his board shorts, his hair still wet but he didnt care about that, he cared about Steele and he hoped to god that his friend was ok..

"what do you think happened" Mikey asked as John drove..

"I dont know, I mean he was just driving her home" John began with a shake of his head..

"do you think she did something" Mikey said as John looked at him now..

"are you crazy, she was just some chick" John said with annoyance as they sped through the neighboring town and towards the hospital..

"I mean its just weird man" Mikey began..

"she didnt do anything Mikey!" John snapped angrily now, he didnt want to hear some crazy ideas from his brother, he could pretty much tell that Mikey didnt like Marty but that wasnt reason enough to think that she had something to do with this..

The waiting room filled up quick with the twenty of them all standing inside waiting to hear word on Steele but when the doors opened a bloodied Marty walked out instead and then her eyes got wide with tears when she saw John.."Oh my god John, thank god you came" she ran directly into his arms as natalie looked on and rolled her eyes..

"what happened marty" John asked as he looked her over and she began to cry hysterically..

"i dont know, we were just driving and then...god the truck came out of no where and I was so scared, John I was so scared" she hugged him again as he tried to comfort her..

"Hey its gonna be ok" he said quietly, he was well aware that everyone was staring at him right now and then the doors opened again as they all rushed over to the doctor..They all began shouting to him, demanding to know how Steele was, it was overwhelming to say the least..

"alright everyone needs to calm down, this isnt a circus, this is a hospital" the doctor said as he backed up and everyone got quiet as natalie moved her way to the front of everyone..

"how hurt is he" Natalie asked as the doctor looked at her and then at the other waiting faces..

"its not good" he began as the other girls in the group began sobbing, Rex was holding onto a upset Gigi.."he sustained a lot of internal injuries as well as a lot of blood loss, right now we just dont know" he said quietly..

"Please I have to see him, I have to" Gigi cried out as Natalie looked over at her and the doctor looked at them all..

"i can only have one at a time and I wont hesitate to throw you all out if chaosis erupts" he said warningly..

"let Gigi go first" Natalie said quickly as she looked at everyone and thankfully no one fought her on it as Gigi walked up to her..

"thank you Nat" Gigi said with tears and then left with the doctor as they all began to talk amongst themselves..

"He will be alright, wont he" Marty said with tears to John as she held onto him..

"why do you even give a shit" Natalie couldnt help herself as she walked up to Marty and John..

"natalie dont" John warned..

"why the hell not, were all thinking it, might as well say it" Natalie snapped.."why are you so unharmed"

"Natalie now that is enough, now is not the time" John snapped loudly..

"Your joking right, you barely know her!" Natalie snapped as everyone got quiet..

"oh god you all think I had something to do with this" marty said with tears.."I swear I didnt" she began..

"no one is saying that Marty" John said quickly..

"Oh speak for yourself John, tell me Marty why is that you seem pretty damn ok for someone in a head on collision" Natalie snapped..

"stop it natalie" John snapped as he stepped in front of Marty, it actually looked like Natalie might hit her and thats the last thing they all needed..

"No, I want a damn answer!" natalie yelled and John grabbed her arm hard, pulling her off to the side..

"do you want to get us all kicked out of here, do you!" he snapped at her..

"how can you just trust her like that, you dont even know her and now Steele is laying in that bed dying!" natalie yelled out as tears filled her eyes..

Before John could answer the sound of heavy crying was heard and then Marty was running out of the room covering her face as he sighed heavily..He looked at natalie who was tearing up herself, he felt torn at the moment..

"Just go" Natalie pushed past him in tears as Cris walked up to her and John looked at his brother who looked just as confused as him as he comforted marcie and then John was taking off after Marty..

Cris went to touch Natalie as she wiped her eyes.."dont Cris, just dont" she said as she walked over to a seat and sat down..

John got outside just as Marty did and she broke down.."they all hate me, they think I did this" she cried into her hands..

"Listen marty I think we all have been through alot" he said as she turned and faced him..

"do you think I did this" she said with tears as she looked at him..

It took a second to answer.."No I dont" he finally said as she cried some more and then ran into his arms as he sighed, could this really get any more fucked up?

One by one they headed in to see Steele and everyone that came out had the same look of absolute horror, no one was expecting to see him that way but Natalie still couldnt get over the fact that John was still comforting that bitch. Natalie waited for everyone else to go in as she glared over at marty who had made her little home on Johns shoulder..

"why is she sticking around?" Gigi asked natalie as she looked at her friend whose eyes were as red and puffy as ever..

"I dont know and honestly I dont care" Natalie said angrily..

"You dont think steele hates me do you, I mean I didnt get to tell him.. to tell him" Gigi began to break down again as Natalie hugged her friend and John looked at her as she narrowed her eyes on him..

When Cris came through the doors, the last of everyone to see him, well essentially the last, only John and natalie left, well natalie got up quick as she walked over to him. He just shook his head at her with the saddest of expressions and it made her swallow hard.. She had witnessed everyones looks after they had left the room and she braced herself for the worse..

What natalie saw when she entered the room though, no one could of got her ready for cause there he was on a breathing machine, all sorts of lines hooked up to him, the sound of machines working in the back ground, it was absolutely heart wrenching for her to witness first hand.. She couldnt help the choked cry that left her mouth as she stood in the door way and covered her mouth, he just looked so bad, so frail and weak and that was saying something especially considering his nearly seven foot size..

"Oh god" she whispered as she stood there for a moment more and then quickly walked to his bedside, she didnt even know where to touch him, he looked so broken, he was broken.."steele, oh steele what happened to you" she began to break down in tears as she leaned over his bed..

John left to get Marty some coffee, she had calmed down to a quiet cry as she sat in the waiting room, a lot of the people had left, they decided it would be better to make sure the cabin stayed safe, especially with their essential leader out of commission..

"John im gonna head back with marcie" his brother said as he came up behind him and John turned to look at him..

"alright, im gonna stay for a bit" John said with a nod of his head..

"Ok" Mikey said quietly and then he was walking off as John brought the cup of coffee back to marty just as natalie was coming out of the door, she looked absolutely wrecked and he felt for her but she just glared at him as she quickly made her way out of the room, the doctor stood at the door..

"im gonna be right back" John said to marty as he headed over to the doctor and then he was disappearing through the door..

Natalie could barely keep herself together as she got outside and inhaled deep as the tears fell..Steele was like a damn vegetable in there, she couldnt get the image out of her head. This was all just so fucked up and it made no sense at all. The cop had informed them all that the truck driver apparently had fallen asleep behind the wheel and veered into their lane, that nothing could of prevented what happened but natalie didnt believe that, she just couldnt. She knew what was out there, she knew what they all hunted and she just knew that it had something to do with that whether the police believed their own story or not, she was going to get to the bottom of this.

John hated being in hospitals, he hated the cold feeling he got inside, he hated the way everyone was always rushing around and he hated the sounds and smells that filled the hallway.. He stopped by the hospital door as he peered inside and swallowed hard.. He had met Steele nearly two years ago when he was on a hunt and the man laying in the bed looked nothing like the strong friend that he knew, it made his stomach turn at the sight of him..

Natalie stood outside and calmed herself down, one thing she never did do was cry but she cried now but she knew that no amount of crying would help them or help Steele, what she had to do was get to the bottom of this and get revenge. That was something she could deal with, not this feeling in the pit of her stomach, one that wanted to break down like a child and collapse with exhaustion..

But she sucked It up, she had to get justice and the first place she had to look was into that marty chick, who the hell was she and why was she all of a sudden sticking by John like damn glue, it irked her to see the innocent look on that bitch's face..And now she knew exactlly what she had to do cause she was going about this the wrong way, definitely the wrong way and with that she headed back inside..

Natalie eyeballed Marty who sat diligently waiting for John and natalie surpressed the urge to roll her eyes as she walked over and Marty looked up, her eyes frightened as she stood now, no one else was in the room but them..

"I dont want trouble" she said as she already began to back up..

Natalie forced a sweet smile.." I dont either, I think we got off on the wrong foot" Natalie began as Marty blinked in shock at her.."its just been a stressful time and all" she forced the words out..

"I um...I" Marty fumbled with her words as she stood there..

"I dont think we ever got properly introduced, im natalie" she put her hand out to the woman who looked at it, still in shock and then she slowly shook it but with a hint of wariness..."Im glad that your ok, it must have been a huge ordeal for you" natalie continued as she pulled her hand back and fought the urge to wipe it on her jeans..

"it was really horrible" Marty began.."i just kept on thinking about how upset John would be with me"

Natalie bit her tongue as she looked at her.."and why would he be mad, it was just an accident"

"because Steele is his friend" Marty began to tear up again and Natalie forced a compassionate smile...

"Here" Natalie said as she handed the bitch a tissue.."an accident is an accident"

"But he would of never been in that car if he hadnt been driving me home" marty began to cry.."he was just being a nice guy"

"well he is that" natalie said low..

"Oh he is, we talked so much in that car ride as short as it was, I really felt like I bonded with him" Marty continued..

"well im sure he will make a speedy recovery, I mean he is a tough guy" Natalie smiled as the sound of a door opening made her look and John stepped in the room, he stopped for a moment and then quickly walked over..

"Natalie I already told you this is not the place and time" he began angrily as Natalie looked at him..

"we were just talking" Marty spoke before she could as she stood up to stand by John.."we got off on the wrong foot" she said as she got next to John and wiped her eyes some more..

John looked over at Natalie suspiciously.."the wrong foot?" he began..

"Yeah, I just, well I overreacted a bit and I lashed out" natalie began quickly as John continued to look at her like he didnt believe her.."I mean it was just an accident and again I am truly sorry marty" she smiled softly at the woman..John had a look of shock and disbelief on his face..

"its ok, I understand, maybe I came on too strong" Marty sniffled some..

"can I borrow you for a second" John said to Natalie but she knew where this was going and if she was going to get to the bottom of this she had to play this right, she could already see that John wasnt buying her sorry routine..

"actually I was thinking maybe we could all just head back to the house, its been a long day and the doc is gonna call us if there is any change at all, im sure your tired and hungry Marty" Natalie said quickly..

"well I wouldnt want to be a burden" Marty began as John stared in shock..

"Of course she wouldnt be, right John?, I mean I think the best thing we could do for Steele is stay positive" Natalie smiled softly..

"Could you just give us a sec" John said as he didnt wait for marty to answer and he pulled Natalie off to the side..

"John you dont have to be rude" Natalie began..

"what are you doing" he said seriously..

"what? Im being understanding" natalie said quickly..

"Bullshit, what exactlly are you doing" John said low but loud enough for Natalie to hear..

"I dont know why you are acting upset, it was an accident ok, I get that" Natalie began as John just stared at her in disbelief still, he didnt believe her for a second.."come on, I mean the last thing Steele needs is us all fighting and Marty was really worried about him" she added quickly..

"if its a problem John" Marty began as he looked at her and Natalie pushed away from him and walked over as John ran a hand through his hair, he didnt know what Natalie was up to but he was gonna find out..

"Not a problem, trust me" Natalie said to Marty with a smile..

"But the others, I ..i dont want to" marty began..

"dont you worry about them just stick with me" Natalie smiled..

"are you sure" marty said quickly as John walked over now and marty looked at him..

"were positive" natalie answered for them both as she looked at John..

"yeah I mean...i suppose its fine" John said with a shake of his head..

"Of course its fine" natalie smiled.."why dont you go get your car John, we'll meet you outside" Natalie began with a smile.."Marty shouldnt have to walk far, she was in a car accident remember"

"alright" John said quickly as he spun around and before he could get to the door, Marty ran over to him and latched onto his arm..

"i wont be a burden, I swear John" she said quickly as natalie forced herself yet again not to roll her eyes, Marty was good, real good, too good actually..

"yeah its fine" John said as he looked at Marty then over at Natalie.."let me get the car"

"Ok" Marty smiled softly now as she stepped back from him but not before planting a kiss on his cheek and then he was walking away.."he is just so wonderful, isnt he" she smiled as she looked at Natalie..

"the best, huh" Natalie smiled big..

"your not mad that um, well you know" Marty said shyly..

"know what?" natalie forced a smile..

"well that were kind of an item, I mean you werent, the two of you werent" Marty began and natalie cut her off, she literally wanted to rip the bitch's head off..

"what? Of course not, me and John werent ever together" Natalie said quickly and she wasnt expecting how hurt she felt saying that, even as the image of the kiss they shared earlier went through her head. But technically they werent together, they had shared a kiss, a harmless kiss that meant nothing, right?

"well good cause I wouldnt want to ruin things with us, I really like you Natalie" marty smiled..

"well I think were gonna be good friends Marty" Natalie smiled..

"I hope so, I really hope so" Marty smiled..

"come on, lets go see if he has that car ready" natalie said with a smile, she seriously needed to keep her cool, she couldnt ruin this now, for steeles sake she couldnt..

"Maybe I should go clean up in the bathroom a bit, I must look a fright" Marty said softly..

"sure" natalie said as marty walked past her and to the bathroom across the room, once inside Marty went to the sink and splashed some water In her face and when she looked up into the mirror an image of a dark hooded figure stood to the side of her..

"i did as you said, they dont suspect a thing" Marty whispered as she stood there smiling..

"i wouldnt be so sure about that" the hooded figure spoke.."that Natalie girl cant be trusted, ive dealt with her for too long to know that"

"Oh dont worry about her, she wont be a problem" Marty smiled..

"if she becomes so then you know what to do and either way I want you to watch yourself or I'll have to finish the job for you" he said in a deadly serious tone..

"she wont be a problem, I promise" Marty swallowed hard..

"just get me that information, by the time were done with them all they wont know what hit them" the hooded man smiled darkly..

Natalie was just about to head into the bathroom to check on her new found friend when the door opened and Marty stepped out.."i feel a lot better" she smiled at natalie..

"good come on, I hate hospitals" natalie said quickly as her and marty took off outside..

John waited outside the hospital, his head was still reeling over Natalie's sudden change of heart, it just didnt seem right and he didnt understand it. What exactlly was she planning but more importantly why the hell couldnt he get that damn kiss out of his head?

John couldnt even remember the last time he had thought of one woman so much. In the last two years he had floated around from town to town, meeting random beautiful women and enjoying the hell out of their bodies and he would be lying if he said he didnt want to do the same with natalie but there was also something different going on too and that scared the shit out of him, even more so then the demons he hunted..

He had spent so much time alone, so much time in and out of bedrooms and for quite sometime that was all he really wanted, no attachments, no emotional involvement but now, well now he couldnt stop thinking about the possibility. Maybe it was his age playing a part, maybe the fact that he was getting older and the idea of being alone forever was not something he wanted anymore for himself..

But could he allow himself to feel this way towards her, to open himself up like that, to the possibility of getting hurt or worse if she had gotten hurt because of his reckless behaviour?

The sight of seeing both girls walking out of the hospital boggled his mind. Why was Natalie so obsessed with Marty, granted she was the last one to see Steele alive and well but this was just really off and now they were bringing this woman back to the house, he knew that wouldnt go over well with anyone, hell it barely went over well with him but he felt somewhat responsible for what had happened. This innocent woman could have been killed because of him, because he had to have a weak moment and bring her into his crazy life.