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

Brooklyn pulled the hood over her head covering the shorn black locks. Dean looked over seeing her face darkened by the shadows cast across from the thick heavy wool. The vampire stopped and turned towards his human with a gentle smile across his face. He sensed her despair but it wasn't from her radical new appearance but rather something else.

"What if we don't find her?"

Dean saw a tear slowly trace down her cheek as she kept silent beneath the cloak. He too had thought what if she wasn't there or they were met with hostility? No, they couldn't think like that! They had to keep looking even if meant taking months or years to find her.

Brooklyn felt the warmth of Dean's hands slip beneath her face and pull it up until her sad eyes were locked with his. The rich emeralds radiated with a tender affection which went straight to the human's very being.

"We can't give up Brook. You're my life and soul now," Brooklyn nodded and sniffled.

"We have only a half a day left until we reach the old settlement. But before we enter you'll have to be…." Dean hesitated knowing she was going to hate what he had to say next.

"I'll have to what Dean?" Brooklyn felt his apprehension knowing it was something bad.

"You'll have to wear a collar and be tethered to me. The settlement has strict laws about slaves…." Dean stopped at the sight of the fear in gathering in his human's eyes.

"No…." she shook her head remembering how cruel Alaric was with a collar.

"Brook…."

"Dean….He hurt me and used it as means to control me…."

Dean knew she would resist and the vampire tried to reason with her.

"Brook please….I know you're afraid…"

The human turned away suppressing the horrid visions in desperation as the paralyzing fear gripped her body tight.

Remember who you truly belong too…..

"SHUT UP!" She covered her ears screaming at the top of her lungs. Dean reacted with lightning speed and wrapped his body over hers. He didn't realize how deep the psychological scars ran within his human but he was getting an up close look at the damage. His heart ached as she was reliving the nightmare at Alaric's hand.

"Brook," Dean held her face in his hands. "Brook listen to my voice….Focus on the sound of my voice."

Brooklyn fought to gather her composure but the violent images continued to plague her. Alaric had succeeded in breaking her spirit and even now as she was in the presence of her vampire, Brooklyn felt his vile touch across her face and neck.

Cold cruel fingers sweeping over her in the possessive manner she feared time and time again.

"Dean….Make it stop…..please….." she pleaded with a tiny scared voice. The tears rolled freely down her cheeks as she gripped his biceps tightly. The vampire knew of one thing that could help and pressed his palm firmly against her forehead.

Rest…..

In a matter of seconds her grip slackened as her body slumped into his waiting body. Dean hoisted his human over his shoulder and carried her the rest of the way along the trail.

The sun was setting when he spotted the first few outlines of the settlement. It was nestled neatly in a small valley to which a narrow but healthy river meandered beside it. Adobe buildings sat along and upon either side of the river while several bridges spanned the narrow gap. The center of town life was the old plaza which served as the end or beginning of the journey depending on which direction one was going.

Dean stopped at the top of the small hill which overlooked the buildings and homes below and gently woke his human up.

Brook…..

Brooklyn slowly opened then rubbed her eyes from the deep dreamless slumber. Her eyes blinked and focused on the comforting shape of her vampire then towards the colonial settlement below.

"Is that…"

"Yes," Dean answered. "Yes that is Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico."

The vampire cringed for what he was about to do but it was the only way they could enter without suspicion. With a heavy heart Dean fished out the makeshift collar and leash staring hard at it for a few moments. He loathed what the items stood for and clenched his fist across them.

"Brook," Brooklyn turned around and saw the leather straps hanging in his hand. Her first instinct was to run, run away from the tethers of enslavement but her feet kept planted in place. Dean dropped his hand and with the other reached out for her.

"I know….I don't wanna do this to you."

His human looked down at the hand holding the offensive items and lifted it with her shaky ones. Dean tilted his head and looked upon her with concern in those deep emerald pools.

"Here," she tugged the hood away from her head and held her chin up high. "I trust you."

Dean nodded and carefully slipped the shorter strand around her neck, attentive to the tightness. He left enough slack to make it comfortable and keep it from chaffing against her skin.

"Is that alright?" Brooklyn nodded and sighed sadly. Dean latched the leash through the loop in the front but didn't tug on it. Instead the vampire let it fall and go slack in his hand.

"Okay Brook," Dean kissed her lightly on the lips and pulled the hood back over her head before turning and starting down the hill. His human stayed two steps behind as she once again assumed the role of subservient human. Her head hung down in sorrow as they reached the outskirts of the town.

The blonde vampire sat upon a rocky outcrop watching the sun dip behind the mountains. It was her favorite time of the day and had done this for centuries wherever she went. For the last five hundred years she remained here amongst the Spaniards and natives watching the town remain the same. She had come to love this place as it was her favorite of all her travels. As she sat upon the outcrop, her ancient senses picked up two distinct new scents.

"It's her," she whispered. "He must know."

The innkeeper looked up as the weary traveler approached. Dean nodded tightly and slammed down a handful of gold coins.

"I need a room," the keeper counted the coins then passed a key across the worn wooden counter.

"Room 4 is the furthest one on the right," the keeper responded in a gruff tone. Dean took note of the vampire's rough outward appearance- Disheveled dirty blonde hair with stubble covering his face. His clothes were wrinkled and had a distinct blend of sex blood and something else he couldn't put his finger on.

"You need something else?" Dean quickly shook his head and gently tugged on the leash. Brooklyn felt the innkeeper's eyes follow her and and the vampire as they hurried out the door. The human kept quiet and watched the ground beneath her feet as Dean led the way. She felt the presence of other vampires who were close by and could feel them stare down at her. The human shrunk inside her cloak as Dean came to a stop. The sound of the key slipping in the lock and twisting was music to her ears.

I know…..

The vampire stepped in followed by his human. Brooklyn stood to the side of the door and watched the heavy slab shut tight. She waited for Dean as he closed all the curtains and locked every window which no one would question for it was common to see a vampire desire privacy with his or her slave. Dean double checked every latch before turning to his human. She looked so small standing there in that large cloak. The leash dangled from her neck, a horrid reminder of how the world perceived her and every other human. The vampire hurried over and slipped the collar away from her neck and tossed it on the dresser. He pushed the hood away and smiled as the light splashed across her features brightening her face and eyes.

"It's alright now," he whispered and slipped the cloak from her shoulders. It pooled around her ankles and felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her body and soul. The gentle smile that was upon the vampire's lips was contagious as Brooklyn felt a smile forming on her own. His eyes sparkled like two pieces of jade in the sunlight. The warmth bubbled within their beings as human and vampire let their guard down and allowed the passion to ignite.

I'm so mean for leaving it there....But next chap hot times!