A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the guys…*sighs*

Missouri gasped at the sight of the slave as she was sprawled on her stomach on Alaric's bed. Her arms and legs were spread out around her on the large mattress. The older slave was stunned at the severity of several gashes and promptly went to work. She noticed Brooklyn's erratic breathing as it would be shallow one breath and deep the next. Faint wheezing sounds rattled in her chest which brought a sharp stab of sorrow to Missouri's soul. She had never seen Alaric be so harsh and cruel but he must've had a reason to be as such. With gentle hands, Missouri started along her sides and outer areas of her back, mindful of the ugly marks.

"Oh child what did you do?" She wondered aloud as her fingers weaved the cloth between gashes. The door opened behind her and Alaric returned with a bowl in one hand. He placed it beside Missouri's things and sat on the opposite side of the bed. The older woman finished cleansing the wounds before grabbing the bowl which contained a thick liquid with a silver glow which was tinted with a hint of lilac. The blend would help the healing process but some would need stitches to assist in the healing.

"Missouri how is she?" Alaric finally asked. She detected the coldness in his tone but said nothing to acknowledge it.

"She will heal Mater Alaric but several will need stitches as the wounds run very deep."

"Then do it," he commanded. Missouri nodded in silence and fetched the needle and suture. She sterilized the needle with the light of the candle beside her the threaded the thick strand. Brooklyn was still as she was still unconscious. Missouri was thankful she was unable to feel a thing given how deep she had to go with the sharp object. It would dissolve as she healed and exterior would fall out on its own but knew the skin would be crisscrossed with the ugly scars of Alaric's hand.

Several hours passed and Missouri worked tirelessly to seal the last two injuries. She got the deeper more severe ones tended to and worked on the shallower ones. The other injuries had ceased bleeding and started to clot on their own.

"There," Missouri leaned back in the chair and wiped her brow. She took a deep breath and relaxed for a moment before cleaning Brooklyn's back again. With a clean cloth in hand she swiped the area free of drying blood before using the blend. The liquid was thick and cool as it was smeared over the human's flesh. Alaric had watched with keen eyes as Missouri finished up. She wrapped the entire backside with bandaging and gauze as it needed to be covered to prevent infection.

"I shall fetch the doctor for antibiotics," she gathered her basket and excused herself leaving Alaric alone with her. The vampire covered her body up to the waist with the sheet as he sat there watching her breathing. Slowly the human's eyes opened and looked around but didn't attempt to rise as the pain flared through her body effectively keeping her in place.

"Hurts…." She winced. Alaric dropped to his knees and looked her in the eye.

"Will you disrespect me again?" The vampire asked.

"No," she whispered meaning it.

"Excellent," he grinned and reveled in his victory. Missouri arrived several minutes later with the doctor in tow. He looked down at the slave and could only imagine what he had done to her in this room.

"Alaric she will need to take these," he passed a bottle over to the vampire. "One three times daily with food."

"I understand," Alaric nodded then fished out a small wad of cash for the physician. "This is the best there is correct?"

"Yes, the most efficient out there," he accepted payment and tucked it away in his pants. "If she does develop fever or signs of infection, I will need to see her immediately."

"Of course," the vampire said in an eerily calm manner. Missouri escorted the doctor out and hoped Brooklyn would pull through. Alaric knelt back down and looked at the pained expression on his slave's face. He had made his point known.

Jessica had heard the shouts and screams of Brooklyn echo through the estate. Every shrill cry made her wince as she sat in the library trying to focus on her reading but Brooklyn's agony proved to be too great to withstand. Closing her book, she retrieved her cloak and headed out the door. Alaric wouldn't question her as she had done it in the past when he had punished other slaves. She raced to the stables and had Ava saddle up her horse. The slave's eyes followed the steed and it galloped away towards town.

Dean was looking over the inventory of supplies for the slaves when he heard the sound of hoofs thundering on the ground. He hurried to the window and saw the figure of Jessica on her horse riding madly towards the gates. The vampire grinned hoping she brought news and raced out to meet her. Sam saw the younger vampire and also went out to meet her.

"Sam!" The sight of the taller brother made her smile and for a moment forget Brooklyn's pain. Sam helped her down and quickly took her in his arms.

"I was wondering when you would come see me," he kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I had looked for you at the market but Dean said you were purchasing supplies then my brother showed up," her bright tone turned dismal at the mention of her brother. Jessica turned to Dean and pulled the note out.

"This is for you," she handed the older brother the response letter. Dean grinned like a kid at Christmas and fumbled with the folded up letter and started to read it.

Dean,

Your words touched me though we have yet to meet. When I first saw you something had struck a chord deep within my being. Something that said this vampire is not like the others, that he won't hurt you as Alaric now does. I saw a gentleness in your soul that perhaps you are unaware exists, a human side perhaps if you wish to call it that. I feel alone here so alone….

All I am is property, an object to serve a vampire with sadistic wants and needs. My heart aches every day I am here locked up as he carries out his blood lust upon me. All I wish is to be free once again. I will never surrender the hope I carry within me as someday I know deep down you will come for me.

Brooklyn

Dean was hurt and thrilled by her words. She had bared her soul in so few words, her dream and pain intertwined together. He needed to get her out of there but how?

"Excuse me," Dean rushed off to get a response ready leaving Sam and Jessica alone.

"I worry about my brother. He is hung up on this slave, Brooklyn. You should've seen him earlier. He was angered at the notion of her being his soulmate. But then he dashes off to write another letter without thinking twice."

"Sam, I've been friends with you both for centuries and after Cassie ripped his heart out I can understand why he acts as he does," Jessica spoke on Dean's behalf. "I didn't tell him what Alaric did to her earlier."

"What happened?" Sam asked.

"She must have angered him for I heard her cries ring through the manor. I think he caned her Sam," her eyes watered up as the cries of the slave replayed in her mind. Sam wrapped his arms around her comforting the distraught vampire.

"We must not tell Dean about it for it will only fuel his rage towards Alaric," Sam declared.

Jessica nodded and sniffled. "My brother has powerful connections and resources and he will make her vanish if Dean tries anything. Not even I would know where she would be."

"I know Jess, I know," Sam kept his arms around her while running his hand up and down her back.

In the kitchen, Dean was already finishing up his letter. He kept Brooklyn's tucked in his pocket refusing to let it reside anywhere else. The vampire didn't want to acknowledge this human could be his soulmate but Sam had a strong argument saying otherwise. He had skimmed through the book observing some of the so called symptoms he had experienced when he laid eyes on her. He was afraid to write it as it may scare her or if Alaric did intercept the letter bring any further rage than what he would have if his eyes were to land upon his words.

Dean looked around and found a small flower in the vase on the shelf. He plucked it and pressed it on the table before wrapping it up in the letter. Perhaps this would help ease her hurting soul.

"I am going to get you," he vowed as he folded the paper one last time. He knew Jessica would keep him informed as much as she could without stirring Alaric's suspicions. He would have to start planning her liberation now.

"Sam I need to head into town," Jessica said regretfully.

"Of course," Sam smiled down upon her. "Just be careful alright?"

"I can handle myself," she playfully punched him in the shoulder. Sam feigned hurt and rubbed the area all the while smiling at her. They both turned spotting Dean trotting down the pathway towards them.

"Jess are you leaving?" Dean asked.

"I have to head to town. Gotta keep up the charade," she winked and took the note from his hand. "I will get this to her I promise."

"Jess, you don't know how much this means to me," Dean said with heartfelt gratitude.

"Dean, after seeing the way you've been moping and pining for Brooklyn, I think seeing your spirits lifted is payment enough for me," she hugged her friend hearing him sigh.

"Thanks," he said finally releasing her then helping her up on the horse. They watched as she galloped out of the gates and towards Mount Pleasant. Dean hoped he would see Jess soon and even more so a letter from Brooklyn.

Missouri arrived with a small tray of food and water for Brooklyn who was now awake and in extreme pain. For the slave it felt as if her skin was on fire, burning away flesh and skin with every beat of her heart. She placed the tray by the bed and down at the pathetic form of the slave.

"You need to eat child," she said with a tone that left no room for argument. Brooklyn weakly nodded and slowly pulled her body up, careful not to let her back touch the bedding as the slightest bump or brush caused her cry in agony. Missouri waited with patient eyes as she slowly ate then took the antibiotic with the water. The older woman pulled out a small bottle and shook a pill out then handed it to Brooklyn.

"What is this?" She asked quietly and examined the tablet.

"Pain medication," Missouri answered shortly. "It will help you sleep so take it."

Brooklyn popped the tab and chased it with water before relaxing back on the bed. Just then Alaric appeared with another vampire behind him. The arrival carried a small bag in hand. They rounded the bed as Missouri was leaving and bowed to him. Brooklyn looked over at her master as he and his quiet companion sat down before her. Alaric shot out grabbing her wrist and pointing to it.

"I want it here. I want all to see she belongs to me and no one else," the silent one nodded and pulled the needle and dark blue ink from the bag. Brooklyn's eyes went wide as she knew what Alaric's little surprise was. The vampire kept her wrist firmly in place allowing for the other to set to work. The potent painkiller started to set in as the first few jabs of the needle hurt at first but slowly turned into nothing more than pressure to her skin. Alaric watched as her eyes grew heavy until they closed sending the human into a deep seated slumber. When she awakened the ink would be set and the Saltzman crest would be on display for all to see.

And so the love between vampire and human slowly blossoms.....