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

Brooklyn sat on the bed watching Dean move around the fire with intense grey eyes. The vampire felt the weight of her gaze even with his back turned to the human. He had wrapped her in the thick warm blanket while he prepared something hot for her. His clothing dried as he worked alongside the flames boiling water for tea and food. The vampire learned this was a safehouse for escaped slaves and the vampires that helped them. It was hidden deep enough in the woods and away from the main routes of travel that humans could rest and regroup before heading north or south.

Dean let the tea steep in the water before handing it over to her. He watched her reach out with shaky hands and take the steaming cup from his hands.

"Thank you," she muttered. Dean sensed the hesitation inside as she brought the cup to her lips and took a drink. The liquid burnt the tip of her tongue but she didn't show her discomfort as she still feared repercussions for showing the slightest hints of disagreement in any form. The green soothing liquid coated her throat and windpipe creating a deep warming sensation throughout her body. Suddenly she didn't feel cold any longer. Dean smiled at her before finishing up at the fire and ladle the stew in a bowl. While human food did not provide nourishment like blood did, the vampire still felt cold and heat and a steaming bowl of stew could warm him up.

Dean gently pulled away the half empty mug and replaced it with the bowl. Brooklyn looked up unsure of what to do.

"Brooklyn, go ahead. I got it for you," Brooklyn nodded and started to eat.

"How are you feeling?" He brushed away a strand of damp copper and studied her reaction. She winced slightly but relaxed after a tense moment. The human kept telling herself this was the one who saved her from her cruel master but the vivid images of Alaric's constant abuse remained fresh in her mind and prevented her from opening up.

"I am okay…." She drawled.

"I know what he did to you and I understand it will take time for you to open up. But I am not going anywhere. I will be right here when you finally do. But know that you are the one who stole my heart."

Brooklyn forced a smile and brought her eyes to his. Dean could see she wanted to return the feelings and he knew deep down she felt the same way. The human continued eating as she had forgotten when it was she ate last.

"Did you want more?" Dean offered.

"Can I?" Brooklyn asked meekly.

"You never have to ask," Dean took the empty bowl and filled it to the rim. He handed it back to Brooklyn and watched as she started to eat with less caution and more confidence. As she continued to eat, he checked her clothing and felt it was dry.

"Your dress is dry," Dean held it up but Brooklyn shot up a hand.

"No," she shook her head. "Please don't make me wear it. It's what he made me wear when…"

Dean quickly nodded and put it back on the line.

"Don't worry, I'll find something else for you to wear. I'm sure this safehouse has something extra."

Brooklyn nodded and smiled a small smile. She continued eating feeling her stomach feel full for the first time since she was captured and sold. Dean rummaged through the drawers and found a pair of pants and shirt which would cover her body and provide some warmth. He smiled and nodded to himself with satisfaction before turning around to see Brooklyn helping herself to more food. The human gasped and looked at him with wide panicked eyes.

"It's alright you don't have to be frightened. If you want more then get it. I made it for you," Dean said. Brooklyn nodded and sat back down on the bed and dove into her third serving. Dean wondered just how much if any food Alaric gave her. Obviously it was a decent amount as she appeared to have a full face and body.

"Thank you," she said again and ducked in the blanket. As she sat down, Dean spotted the hints of the tattoo on her wrist. He kept his mouth shut for he didn't want to frighten her any more than she already was. He sat down beside her watching her every move for the slightest hint of fear from the human. She didn't realize how hungry she was until the spoon was scraping along the bottom of the bowl. Embarrassed she dropped the bowl hearing to clatter to the floor. Dean scooped it up and placed it in the sink. He turned and saw her cringing on the bed like she was anticipating another round of caning. The look of terror that dominated her features broke the vampire's heart.

"Brooklyn, it's okay. Look, I'm not upset," Dean dropped to his knees and searched out for her hands taking them in his.

"I can't do anything right," she sobbed.

"Brooklyn, listen to me," Dean said gently. "It was an accident alright? You didn't do anything wrong."

She looked down at her knees knowing the vampire was right. She was free of Alaric but yet she remained gripped in fear, fear of him finding her and making her pay for running away. Dean realized how deep the wounds ran with his human and resolved to make things right.

"Alright," she spat out. Dean let a smile crack his lips into a thin smile. He watched the human's lips begin to curl up.

Alaric stormed off the dock and up the incline to the mansion. It was a common house that only Council members were allowed access to and the vampire intended to use the amenities within.

The slave opened the door and bowed as the Councilman and his captain of the guard hastily entered the grand double doors. The slaves inside took the wet clothing from both vampires allowing them to head up the stairs. In the bathrooms more slaves hurried to fill the baths for they knew what would happen if the vampires had to wait.

Alaric ripped his clothing off and tossed them aside then stepped in the steaming bath. As the female slave started to bathe his back, Alaric turned around and threw her in the tub ripping her dress apart in the process. His nails dug into her soft sides as he thrusted inside. The dark haired girl cried out at the painful intrusion. The vampire was enraged over the loss of his slave and decided to take it out on the human. She continued screaming out but Alaric smacked her across the face. The human went silent as he grunted and exploded within her. The vampire panted and withdrew from the slave girl leaving her wide eyed and teary against the edge of the tub. He looked over at her with cold dark eyes and spoke in an equally cold tone.

"Get out," he hollered and watched the young girl leap out and race through the door naked and violated. Alaric slapped the water with an open palm, angry and humiliated that he was outwitted by a lower class vampire and a fucking human!

The clothes were slightly baggy but Brooklyn didn't care as anything was better than the dress she had been wearing. The shirt was soft and long sleeved giving her a sense of security while the pants were loose but comfortable. Brooklyn was sprawled out on her side with the blanket up to her shoulder. She watched as Dean cleaned up and made sure there was sufficient firewood for the next visitors to the house.

Dean stood up and tended to the fire once more before turning towards Brooklyn. He noticed her eyes didn't hold fear or apprehension but were calmer in nature.

"How ya feeling?" He pulled up a chair and sat down beside the bed. Brooklyn sat up using her arm to brace her upper body upward.

"Better," she nodded. "I'm sorry for being so jumpy," she apologized.

"Brooklyn, you don't ever have to apologize to me for anything. I will never lay a hand on you in malice," he leaned over and lightly caressed her face. The vampire stayed frozen and observed her reaction to his touch. The human sighed and closed her eyes as she leaned into his hand feeling at ease for the first time in a very long time.

"I won't do anything to hurt you or anything against your will. I felt your pain and suffering as if it were my own."

"You did?" She opened her eyes. Dean nodded.

"Yes, it was nothing no human should ever have to endure. But somehow you held on and prevailed through the nightmare," the sincerity in the vampire's voice was genuine and something inside of her shouted as it being so.

"Such was the life of a hunter," she said with a heavy heart. "You learned to manage and deal with the pain. It was part of surviving."

"Why were you a hunter?" Dean asked carefully. He hoped to get her to open up by steering the subject away from Alaric.

"My parents were slaves and I escaped when I was 9 and was found by a hunter named Markus DeTaurius. He raised me like I was his daughter and taught me everything I needed to know. When I was 17 I headed out on my own and teamed up with Jake and several others," Dean picked up the hint of bitterness at the mention of the one who betrayed her.

Brooklyn slipped back beneath the blanket feeling tired all of a sudden. She yawned and felt her eyes growing heavy as the lull of sleep beckoned. Dean slid his hand away and pulled the blanket further up her body.

"Thank you," she whispered sweetly. Dean smiled back and stood to head to the other bed. As he turned Brooklyn shot out her hand and wrapped it around his.

"No, I don't wanna be alone tonight," she pleaded with him.

"Are you sure?" Dean asked with hope in his voice. Brooklyn nodded and scooted back giving room for the vampire to slid in next to her. Dean eased his larger frame in the modest sized bed and covered both of them with the thick blanket. Brooklyn closed the space between them anxious to feel him beside her. She slid her arms around his taut waist and nestled her head on his chest.

Dean enclosed his arms around her small body and picked up on the shaky form slowly relax in his embrace. Ever since he saw her he dreamt of this moment. He wasn't going to rush her into things and wanted his human to heal on her own terms. Soon her heart slowed and breathing was steady and deep. He smiled as she was lost in the depths of slumber and tilted his head down to lay a light kiss on the top of her head.

"Good night Brooklyn," Dean whispered. He laid there and listened to the beating heart of his human and thought back to what he had read about soulmates.

The connection between soulmates is so intense and strong that if one was to die their soulmate would not survive without the other and die.

Some cultures believe even vampires have soulmates and they can include humans. If a human and vampire are soulmates the human must embrace immortality or the bond will break upon the human's death.

Dean wondered how he was going to tell her that little detail. He decided to wait until she was better before mentioning it. For now, he was content to have her in his arms. Something told the vampire once they consummated the bond between them she would be willing to turn and become like him. He laid his weary head on the pillow, careful not to disturb his human.

Tomorrow they would hurry back north and retrieve the Impala then put as much space between them and Alaric as they could.

Okay FF is acting up so until the emails start popping up check often on your fav or alert lists as it will reflect the updates there.