A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update but life is happening and all that crap... Natali, this update is for you...
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or the universe. If I did, I wouldn't be here writing about them, I'd be living there, eating pie off of Dean's tummy. :)
Raven had absolutely no idea how to answer him. How could she describe something so wonderful and confusing? How was she to tell Sam that she loved him but she was not in love with him?
Just as she was about to try and explain the churning emotions floating within her head and heart, Sam's phone rang. Saved by the cell, Raven thought.
"Hey Bobby," Sam said, "Got something? Ok, lemme put you on speaker so Raven can listen in." Sam pressed a button on his Blackberry and Bobby's voice flooded the interior of the Impala.
"So, here's what I have so far. The lore points to the actual existence of gremlins and goes back for centuries. They are not playful spirits, like one might think. They are actually the spawn of Loki. Remember him? The little bastards are intended to cause chaos in one specific area versus widespread crap on crackers like their daddy likes to dish out. Also, they like to hang out in the same place for years unlike "Papa Mischief" who does is thing and moves on. Look for small, purple spirits that move really fast."
Raven contemplated the information and asked the obvious question, "So how do we off them, Bobby?"
"That's the hard part. You have to catch them and then drown them in holy water."
"Catch them? How?" Sam replied, asking the other obvious question.
"I'll send you the ingredient list and incantation in an e-mail. The trap is not hard to set. The problem is going to be setting more than one in a facility that runs 24/7 and then drowning the little buggers. Might draw attention to yourselves. Good thing the two smartest hunters I know are on this one."
"Awww Bobby, you flatter me." Raven laughed, "Let Dean know we are just outside of Montgomery. We're going to catch a nap and then do the FBI routine."
"Will do, Raven. And for God's sake, please hurry. He is driving me to drink, which really isn't all that far."
Raven and Sam chuckled as Bobby hung up. They were just passing into the city limits of Montgomery. Off to her right, Raven could see the dome of the state capitol building gleaming in the night sky. Sammy did not bring up his question again and she was grateful. She needed time but she had the feeling that the Winchester brothers were going to demand answers before she was ready to give them.
Raven waited in the car while Sam got them a room. She knew he would ask for a king and for the first time, she was nervous about sharing a bed with him. The butterflies in her stomach threatened to turn into jumbo jets. Her instincts told her he was going to "make a move" and she was still unsure of her feelings concerning Sam. The really confusing part was if Dean were in Sam's shoes, she more than likely would not hesitate.
Sam came out of the motel office to find Raven staring out the window, as she had been for hours. Sam knew she was contemplating the question he had asked earlier and truth be told, so was he. He had feelings for her that were so strong, they were scary. The bond they shared was stronger than anything he'd ever felt, even with Jess or Dean. Sam had been in love before but he was unsure if that was how he felt about Raven. He needed to know and tonight, he was going to find out.
They unpacked the car and Sam settled in to check his e-mail. Bobby had sent the list and incantation, as promised. And he was right. Gremlins were relatively easy to kill, in the scheme of things. It was going to be the set-up that was the problem. Drawing a sigil on the floor with goat's blood was going to attract attention. He was confident that they would come up with a plan but they both needed sleep.
After Raven changed into her pajamas, Sam got ready for bed as well. She was already under the covers waiting on him when he returned from the bathroom. Raven was facing away from him but he could tell she was still awake. The tension was rolling off of her in waves. Sam smiled to himself and turned out the light. He had no intention of forcing anything on her she wasn't ready for. Pulling back the covers, he slid into the bed behind Raven, wrapped his arms around her and settled in for sleep.
Raven was waiting for Sam to come out of the bathroom. Her nerves were strung so tight they could have been plucked like a banjo. She knew he wanted to take their relationship to the next level. She could feel the anticipation coursing through him. Raven was inexperienced when it came to men. She hadn't had a boyfriend in either high school or college. Her education was too important to waste time on frivolous things like love. So how was she to interpret the signals he was sending? She knew deep inside that Sam would never do anything to hurt her, physically or emotionally. Flipping on to her side just as Sam opened the bathroom door, she decided to let the situation play itself out. One way or another, she would find out what Sam was up to.
Sam could feel her shallow breathing against his chest. Not only was she not sleeping, she was damn near hyperventilating. Sam ran his fingers through her chestnut hair and kissed the back of her head in the hopes that she would calm down. He was starting to get concerned. When he felt her shiver violently, Sam rolled her over into his sculpted chest and held her gently, making soft shushing sounds in her ear.
Raven had felt his rock hard body curl into her back and all rationality went out the window. Panic set in and she was breathing in quick gasps. She felt his fingers in her hair and his gentle kiss on the crown of her head. Her involuntary shiver scared her. She did not resist when Sam rolled her over into his arms. He could just make out her face in the light peeking in from behind the curtains. What he saw was not fear on Raven's face, it was confusion. He could completely understand the emotions written plainly on her beautiful face. It's now or never, he thought. He stroked her velvet soft cheek with the back of his knuckles and leaned down to kiss her perfect lips.
Raven looked up at Sam and could feel all her doubts and insecurities rush to the surface. Sam's face wore a tender expression as he ran his hand down her face. He's going to kiss me, she thought. She closed her eyes and waited to fell his lips on hers.
A/N: I know, I know... You are going to kill me... I am already working on the next update and you'll have it in no more than 48 hours... Promise... Unless I don't get any reviews and then I am going to hold it hostage... Muah ha ha ha! I'm kidding! No seriously, review... Please? puppy dog eyes