And if the night is burning
I will cover my eyes
For if the dark returns then
My brothers will die
And as the sky's falling down
It crashed into this lonely town
And with that shadow upon the ground
I hear my people screaming out

Now I see fire, inside the mountain
I see fire, burning the trees
I see fire, hollowing souls
I see fire, blood in the breeze

I see fire, oh you know I saw a city burning (fire)
I see fire, feel the heat upon my skin (fire)
And I see fire (fire)
And I see fire burn auburn on the mountain side

I See Fire

Cole's POV

Casa Grande, Arizona

I opened the door moving from the truck into the office of the motel we'd stopped at. John and I had driven nineteen hours straight, giving each other breaks from the driving, but both of us were too wired to sleep. We'd picked up on the demonic omens in Casa Grande shortly before dawn and taken off. Driving all day then most of the night that meant we wouldn't be able to do any recon tonight with it being 10PM.

The door chimed as I entered the office and the office manager came from the back room in an apron. She was a pretty brunette with bright green eyes and a friendly smile.

"What can I get for you?" She said with a quick smile in my direction. Her gaze drew to the door over my shoulder, her eyes widened a fraction in shock and she hurriedly dropped her gaze.

I couldn't help but glance behind me, only to see John entering the office.

"I'll be right with you sir." The woman said I glanced back at her in time to see her cheeks coloring subtly.

I fought back a smile, lowering my gaze so I wouldn't laugh. The man really was fine. He had no idea how many women would fall at his feet, if he'd simply give them the time of day. Or maybe he did. That was definitely something to investigate.

"Thanks, but I'm with her." He said offhandedly. He pulled out his billfold pulling out a card from the folds. "You forgot the card." He said glancing at the woman offering her a smile.

"So that'll be a double then." She said stumbling over her words. Her cheeks colored even more.

"No ma'am just a queen." I said trying to rescue her from her embarrassment. John turned away moving to study the motel pamphlet rack.

Her eyes narrowed at me then she glanced to John, her lips pressing together. I fought not to roll my eyes. Dammit, people could be so judgmental, when they didn't know us and it damn sure wasn't their business.

Her hand reached up to grab the cross at her neck almost protectively. "Sir here's your room key." She said handing the key to John. "Room 115."

John turned, heading back to the truck assuming I would follow.

"You know I'm looking for some help around the hotel if you're interested." She said kindly.

I was confused. "I'm sorry. I don't understand, why would I be interested?" I asked curiously.

She glanced over my shoulder then back to me. "There are other ways to make money." She said softly.

My eyes widened and I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. She just looked at me sympathetically. "Oh my God, you're serious?" I questioned shocked and floored. Really… "Ok I'm wearing jeans, boots, and no make-up. Do I look like a hooker?! God!" I said turning from her dismissively.

I caught sight of John through the window getting into the truck and I swung back around. "You know just because I'm with an older man does not mean… Next time you might want to keep your opinions to yourself if you'd like to keep your business!" I snapped turning and heading to the door.

It was absolutely terrifying, I was fighting every move my body made, trying to get some semblance of self-control. It was no use, I watched in horror as the knife was pulled from John's gut, and the demon possessing me spoke. "You know she's still in here, still alive. And she's screaming, begging, pleading for me to spare you. She's completely selfless, a true hero, she's thinking only about you, not about herself. She worships you. And yet to you she is simply an upgrade."

Desperation choked me, I had to get control, I couldn't let this happen, not to me, and most importantly not to John. He came first, he always would.

I paused at that statement waiting for his claim of denial, that I wasn't second best, a quick replacement, however it never came. I cried out in my mind, against the whisperings of the demon: Azazel he'd called himself.

'He thinks you're nothing more than an upgrade. You're a pretty little young thing that has a fighting spirit just like his wife did, well before I killed her anyhow.' The demon whispered to me, I couldn't get away from it there was no way to block out the sound, he was in my mind, he knew my fears, my doubts, my insecurities, and he was playing on one of the largest insecurities I had. I cried out in denial, needing to break free.

"Cole, wake up!" My eyes snapped open, as I gasped for air. I looked around, scrubbing a hand over my face. John was looking at me worriedly, with a hand on my shoulder rubbing reassuringly.

"I take it I was having a nightmare." I said dryly.

John looked at me concern in his dark eyes, "Yeah baby, another one." He answered pointing out the truth.

Shrugging, and avoiding his gaze, I rolled on my side away from him. I'd been having nightmares my whole life, it wasn't going to stop now. "On the bright side. I got some sleep." I said with a grin. But I felt anything except better. My head was pounding and I had a sharp incessant pressure in my brain.

"You know Nicole, sooner or later we're going to have to talk about this," he said, his voice low, attempting to get me to lower my guard. No way in hell were we going to talk, not about this! It just wasn't happening.

I glanced over at the small table in the room. "Ooh you brought food!" I exclaimed as my stomach rumbled loudly backing up my lame attempt of dodging. "What time is it?" I asked as I slid out from under the covers.

"Seven." John answered moving from the bed. I suddenly noticed how dressed he was. I was positive he hadn't gone to sleep with that many clothes on.

He went to his bag rummaging around in it he pulled out a small box and walked over to me hesitantly. "I have something for you." He said smoothly attempting to cover his nerves.

I saw right through it of course not letting him get away with that for a second. "Why?" I asked curiously.

"It's your birthday, Nicole." He said sounding almost surprised that I would be questioning him.

I wasn't sure what to make of this turn of events. We'd never celebrated my birthday before. I'd always thought it was too painful for him so I'd never mentioned it or expected anything from him unless it was a few rounds of alcohol to drown his sorrows.

He licked his lips and motioned towards me. I moved closer excitedly, and I'm sure it showed on my face. "Go on, open it." He encouraged me.

I took the velvet box slowly. I was nervous I didn't know what to do in this situation, not with him. I didn't want something so simple as the day I'd been born to taint our relationship or the way he viewed me.

I opened it and gasped. Inside was a silver necklace. In the form of a triquetra, with a sun in the top knot, with a purple amethyst at its center and two moons crescent both waning in the lower knots. A devils trap was in the center of the intricate knot.

Hanging as an attachment a length of chain about an inch long below it was a silver locket also adorned with intricate Celtic knots.

"Oh my God." I said unable to believe my eyes.

"Do you like it?" John asked hesitantly.

I glanced up at him my eyes alight with wonder and excitement. "I love it!" I exclaimed softly throwing my arms around him and pressing kisses up his throat. He wrapped his arms around me returning my hug, and lowered his mouth to mine.

He grinned as he pulled back from me taking the box from my hand. I turned away from him, gathering my hair in one hand, as he place the necklace at my throat. The protection amulet rested about my clavicle while the locket hung lower nestled in the valley between my breasts.

I reached down to pull the locket out of my nightshirt and opened it. The right side was empty the left however was filled with a picture of John and I. I was sitting on a counter of a laundry mat, and John was standing behind me, even then I still appeared ridiculously short compared to him. This had been taken a few weeks after my assault when our family had still been together, Beth had taken it when she was in one of her weird picture taking moods.

I smiled at the picture. It had always been one of my favorites. I ran my hand up the small length of chain, there was a small clasp so I could detach the locket, leaving the amulet around my neck, probably smart since it was for protection.

John groaned behind me, wrapping his arms around me. He pressed kisses into the side of my neck moving to the shell of my ear. "You know that necklace is gorgeous, but I'm positive it would look much better if you were naked."

I laughed lightly tilting my head to the side as his mouth continued over my neck. My stomach growled loudly in protest. "I'm sure it would, but could we eat first?" I asked humor lacing my voice.

"No! Sex first." He demanded with a growl.

I was totally keen on the idea of sex, it wasn't often we took such a late start, usually sex tended to replace our sleep, however last night I got sleep and this morning I was definitely getting mind blowing sex. A girl could get used to this. And then my stomach rumbled once again, forcing me to groan.

"You're such a caveman. I need to eat. Who knows how long you've been awake, I need food. And sex." I said adding sex as an afterthought.

"Okay. I can work with that." John said, his hands roaming under my top finding soft skin. "I'll grab the food. You get naked, be quick about it." He said, pulling my face around so he could claim my mouth from behind. I moaned into the kiss, my imagination running wild with our odd conversation.

He left me, hurrying to the table and freeing the most important item from the confines of the fruit tray he'd brought for me. The pie… He paused, hands jerking his shirt over his head, then dropping to the buttons on his jeans and kicking out of his boots.

"What the hell are you doing? Get naked now!" He snapped impatiently. I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped, but I shed my tank top I'd gone to bed in and the pants.

"Jeez. So impatient!" I said, turning and spreading my arms wide. "Well?" I asked.

John's eyes darkened as he took in my body. His voice came out hoarse. "I was right, that's even more gorgeous with you naked."

He looked down grabbing the pie plate and making his way to the bed. I watched him come, not moving. "Well since I have to do everything." He said when he got to me bending slightly and wrapping one arm around me, picking me up in a fireman's carry. I gave a small whimper at being picked up in an unfamiliar way my stomach temporarily in knots.

John set the pie plate down on the nightstand and the next second I felt myself being tossed through the air. Holy crap. I let out a sigh of relief as I met the bed. My stomach had just dropped about six inches.

John quickly joined me on the bed, his gaze hot and demanding. He kissed me urgently, temporarily stalling my protests. I kissed him back eagerly, but he pulled back when my stomach rumbled yet again.

"You're trying to starve me." I reminded him, between kisses.

He pulled back turning to the pie plate as I stared at him haughtily. "And you forgot the silverware." I said with an indignant sniff.

"Nah. Who needs silverware, all the cavemen did was light fires and have sex." He reminded me.

I watched him incredulously as he simply picked up a piece of pie, offering it out to me. I took a small bite trying not to make a mess.

John rolled his eyes scoffing at me as I chewed. "If you keep taking bites that small you're going to be eating all day."

I smirked at him. "Well I don't want to make a mess." I said innocently widening my eyes.

He looked unimpressed with my innocent façade. "You just want me to keep feeding you." He accused.

I shrugged opening my mouth for another bite. I attempted to take a bigger bite, but really fruit pie, probably not the best to eat in bed. My point was made when a piece of cinnamon glazed apple fell. "Seriously babe, just go get me some silverware. I'll eat and you can get started without me." I said pleadingly. "I'm gonna make a huge mess. That's not sexy." I said my voice almost coming out in a whine.

John wasn't listening his gaze was fixated on the apple that had fallen. I watched his eyes darken taking on a hungry look, and my womb clenched in anticipation. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

The fruit was warm between my breasts and I froze barely daring to breathe as John moved forward, licking the sweet glaze from my skin. My body responded with an electric tingling I knew so well, a feeling that only John could produce in me.

I watched him eagerly as he took the fruit in his mouth chewing slowly. God who knew watching someone eat could be so sexy. I may have to rethink my proposal about eating in bed. I leaned forward kissing him eagerly suddenly I couldn't wait to taste him. I moaned as the sweet cinnamon glaze exploded on my taste buds. Oh yeah I was definitely going to rethink my position.

John's POV

"I don't understand it." John said looking frustrated.

"Maybe we didn't make it in time?" I said quietly, trying to keep John from blowing a gasket.

He rolled his eyes glancing away from me to the walls that were covered once again with every available piece of research he'd collected regarding the yellow eyed demon. Glancing back at me, he shook his head resolutely. "No absolutely not. I refuse to believe I've come this close only to lose this demon." He said. The disappointment was there, I heard it quiet and evident in his tone.

"Maybe you refuse to see it John, but I think that's the only thing that makes sense. I mean seriously: no dead mothers, no house fires, and no strange deaths." I said, heaving a sigh. Maybe it was time to face the facts. I opened my mouth to voice this exact thought only to be silenced.

"No." He said abruptly marking the end of discussion. I sighed pressing my lips together, I knew he'd had enough; to push him further would only aggravate things.

John turned to look at me his eyes appeared haunted and cold. "I'm not giving up. My gut tells me this thing is here." He rubbed a tired hand over his face the emotions too heavy for him to bear. Knowing he needed a break, I turned towards the door.

Moving to the door I picked up my jacket, "I'm gonna go get some food." I said softly, turning to face him. He was studying the weather graphs for the area I'd gotten off the internet. I sighed turning my back on him and leaving the room.

The man was stubborn, he had a one-track mind and when he was set on something, it took Heaven and Hell to change his mind. I was almost to the two-lane blacktop I had to cross to get to the restaurant, when I heard a door open and slam shut behind me.

"Cole, we've got to go." John called.

Turning back to the urgent note in the sound of his voice, I broke into a run and headed to the truck. I slid into the passenger side as John slammed the door, forcing the key in the ignition and turned the truck over.

The truck roared out of the motel parking lot, the tires squealing as John took a turn too fast. I reached down to tune the CV radio, until I heard the dispatchers voice come over the air.

"House fire reported on Roe Drive and Matilda. Unit 6 what's your ETA?"

I grabbed the map of the area I'd picked up from the motel office, scanning through street names until I came across the two mentioned. "Take a right." I said indicating the next street.

We had been close enough to the residence in question that we could see the black smoke beginning to pour into the sky. John took a left once we reached the gated community, speeding through the roads, forcing other cars to slam on their brakes to avoid crashing into us.

"Turn left up here. And can you step on the gas a little?" I said, alarm coming through in my voice.

John accelerated taking another left turn through the streets swinging wide to avoid the car coming straight at the driver's side.

My gaze was up the block focused on the house that was on fire in front of us. I centered myself mentally preparing myself for whatever I might see in there.

I was calm one hand on the door handle, wrenching it open and sprinting through the yard.

I gained the front porch of the house with John hot on my heels. Apprehensively I raised my palm a few inches from the door feeling for any heat coming off it. Nothing, still cautious I reached for the knob trying to turn it. It was locked.

I glanced at John, who stood on the other side of the door, shaking my head. John indicated for me to get back out of the way and I did so, drawing my gun. He kicked the door in quickly sweeping the room for victims. I moved in behind him providing cover, following him all the way to the stairs. We stacked going up the stairs back to back, he was watching our front, and looking for possible enemies while I was watching our six.

The air was getting harder to breathe, the higher we climbed the thicker the smoke got.

I pressed my free hand over my mouth and nose, trying and failing to limit the amount of smoke I was inhaling while we methodically searched the house for any survivors. We had two bedrooms left and I went to the left side of the door while John cautiously pushed it open from the right.

A stream of flames reached greedily for the fresh oxygen opening the door provided and I had to brace myself against the intolerable heat as flames rushed through the door hot and fast, spreading through the hallway. It was the nursery. Tears filled my eyes and I had to tell myself it was the smoke and the unbearable heat from the flames. The flames had already consumed the room and everything inside.

I blinked back tears, turning to follow John who'd hesitated a fraction of a second to allow me time to pull myself together. I nodded at him slightly, indicating he should continue.

We came to our last room: a master bedroom down on the opposite side of the hallway. The door was ajar, open enough that we could both slip in undetected. There was a boy maybe seventeen crouched down over a body. I wavered for a split second dropping my gun. The demon was long gone.

I put my gun in the waistband of my jeans the cool metal reassuring me that it was there in case I needed it. I walked quickly to the kid's side dropping down to one knee while John remained at the door keeping an eye on the fast spreading flames.

I reached around, checking the man's pulse. He was dead. "I'm sorry." I said to the kid. "I need you to pull yourself together do you think you can do that for me?" I asked quickly needing to get this kid to his feet and out of the house before we all burned alive.

The kid didn't answer just stared numbly at his father's body. "Goddammit Nicole, hurry the hell up!" John said anxiously.

I glanced over my shoulder at him, his body was tense, rigid, every muscle tight and ready to strike. The only problem was there was nothing to strike at. We were going to die in here if we couldn't get this kid to move. I wouldn't leave him behind and John would never leave me. The kid needed to get his shit together.

I breathed in a shallow anxiety-ridden breath and lashed out at the boy. We did not have time for this shit. My hand connected sharply with his cheek the sting burning my palm. The kid drew his eyebrows together and stared at me shocked.

"I need you to get on your feet and move! Now boy!" I snapped. I reached down grabbing his arm and hauling him to his feet. Then turned and ran. John was behind us providing cover and shoving the kid along when I felt him stumbling.

None of that mattered; all that mattered was that we get out of here alive. I raced through the second story hallway. I heard water pipes burst as the fire mercilessly ate through the walls into the plumbing of a bathroom. There was an ominous creaking and groaning, and I paused reaching back behind me for John's hand. The kid had kept moving but he retained possession of my other hand.

I braced myself as the floor boards caved under the extreme heat and John's heavy weight. Sitting back into the movement as John was forcibly ripped from me through the floor, I managed to stop his downward progression as he braced one foot under himself, and the other leg was sunk almost thigh deep into the floor.

The kid turned back grabbing John's other arm as we pulled him free. Once again running for the stairs. We made our way downstairs through the dining room, the heat was more intense, it felt like fire was raging all around us, the sounds of exploding water pipes and hissing flames were louder. My heart beat was the loudest of all, I felt trapped like a lab rat in a cage, everywhere I looked we were surrounded.

Boiling water was pouring through cracks in the second floor to the lower level, flames were racing along the walls and floors, the creaking and groaning was ever present in the back of my mind along with the very real notion of the entire infrastructure of the house burying us all alive.

I stopped abruptly pulling the kid to a stop with me. We were definitely trapped now. I looked looked up and out of nowhere appeared Grace; I should have known the evil bitch was going to show herself. John shoved past me, sweeping out an arm and pushing me further behind him.

I glanced around us keeping an eye on the hungry flames leaving John to deal with Grace, after all he knew her best, knew what tricks she might pull. She pinned a steely eye at John and I and we both ducked feeling the oppressive weight of a telekinetic attack. The boy moved with me.

I lost sight of John as I ducked to avoid Grace's attack. Apparently she had too. She advanced upon me and the boy, and I pulled my gun, backing away from her. The thing about guns and demons: they don't exactly do a whole lot of good, however if you blow off a demons head it makes it just a tiny bit harder for that demon to come after you.

I readied myself taking aim and preparing to blow my best friend's mother's head off. Sorry Beth. Grace's body jerked and I watched as John came up behind her. He hesitated for just the briefest of moments before plunging the knife into her. He knew it would kill Grace, there would be no chance of saving her through exorcism, but it had been twenty years, her body would be so broken an exorcism would probably kill her anyway.

When he pulled the knife from her back she fell to the floor glowing a bright yellow as the demon in her fought back against the power of the demon killing blade.

What the hell? I glanced at John feeling just a little helpless; we had a demon-killing knife that didn't kill demons. He moved around Grace coming to my side and taking my arm. Shoving me back toward the kid I turned, preparing to run and live to fight another day, when the teenager's eyes turned bright yellow, and he opened his mouth wide, the demon possessing him fled.

I turned back to John, after I assured myself the kid was all right. We watched apprehensively as Grace rose to her feet, she gave a breathless laugh. "Wow, that was fun John!" She said her eyes dancing with mirth. "This'll be fun too!" She said throwing her arms wide. I saw the ripple of energy being pushed out away from her.

I felt a blast of heat, a shockwave running through my body as I was pulled to the floor, John's heavier body blanketing my small frame. I could barely hear between the white noise from the explosion and the ringing in my ears. I glanced to my left to see the teen on the ground a few feet away from us, his expression mirroring my own, fear. We weren't getting out of this one alive.

The air was a tiny bit easier to breathe down here and I took a deep lungful while the smoke was a heavy constant threatening to drown me the oxygen was a welcome relief, and I used it to voice the only thing I was currently thinking about.

"I love you John." I said softly, whispering it in his ear, with all the noise rattling around us I wouldn't have been surprised if he hadn't heard me, but he did. I know he did. I could see it in his eyes as he looked at me.

He rolled off of me getting to his feet, and pulling me up with him. "Kid get a move on!" He barked at the boy. Then he turned to me tossing me a roguish grin one that made my heart beat settle and the fear ebb away slightly. I was for a small moment in time content with what was happening around us. Whatever happened would happen.

"Of course you do. How could you not love me?" He asked softly but I heard him loud and clear. He looked behind me, his face shocked then he glanced above me as a very loud creaking groan sounded from above us, then he lunged for me shoving me back and away from the ceiling that had just caved in.

I rolled, protecting my face from the heat of the flames and the charred ash and debris that was raining down from the ceiling. When I rolled back over looking towards where John had been, I saw nothing but a fiery conflagration of flames greedily reaching for more to devour.

My mouth dropped open in an entirely silent scream of denial and heartache. Sobbing I staggered to my feet lunging forward towards the fiery wall of charred ceiling where I'd last seen John. The kid had moved in front of me, blocking my path. "No! We've got to get out. I'm sorry about your friend but there's nothing more you can do!" He said fiercely. He gripped my upper arm in a hard vicelike grip. He turned yanking me with him and sprinted for the front door.

I followed numbly, my entire world shattered. For one perfect moment I had believed everything was going to be okay. And suddenly it wasn't. We made it out onto the front lawn and the sound of fire engines filled the evening air. I stood numbly by watching the house go up in flames.

I raised a hand to my hair in agitation. I'd failed. My duty was to protect my partner, watch his back as he'd watched mine over the years I had one responsibility, one loyalty and I'd failed. My shoulders shook with the desperation I felt. The anguish threatening to choke me more so than the smoke could have ever done. I sobbed dropping to my knees in the middle of the yard my face streaked with soot and ash from the burning building.

I heard the fire fighters around me yelling, calling to one another. None of it mattered.

I watched the billowing smoke from the fire as it reacted even more strongly to the chemicals the firemen were using. I cried out again staggering to my feet as John emerged from the billowing ash and smoke. If possible I sobbed harder, the tears flowing freely as I broke into a run to meet him across the yard.

I connected solidly with him, wrapping my arms around him and never wanting to let go. "Oh thank God you're okay!" I exclaimed my voice sounding thin and watery. I pulled back shortly meeting his gaze. "You ever do some idiotic heroic thing like shove me out of the way again, you better hope you die! Goddamn you!" I snapped the relief in my voice evident even though I was currently threatening him with his life.

John let out a short laugh that turned into a coughing fit and I wrapped my arms around him to support him. "Well, aren't you gonna say anything?" I asked indignantly.

"Yeah." He said between coughs. He looked forward to where Grace was standing by the truck. "You missed me." He called.

She gave a small half smirk. "There's always next time." She called and with a flip of her long dark hair the demon was gone like she'd never been.

Author's Notes

The song used is Ed Sheeran's - I See Fire

Hey guys this one is a relatively short chapter! But it's something. Hope you guys like it! A little update I'm still trying to pass state boards. I did the maximum amount of questions and they say that you were very close to passing so I'm anxious to see what I freaking messed up on this time. For now I'm going to look for work and study at my leisure and of course write because I would be going stir crazy if I didn't write.

Thanks you BellaDonna78 for helping me out with this chapter! I thought it was a fun little interlude to the fires John has been going through trying to save everyone!