Amie awoke, sitting up bolt-right in bed. She gasped, drenched in sweat, clutching at her chest and neck desperately. She had been having a nightmare, in which she was being beaten again. Only this time, it had been her Dean doing it. Her Dean, his familiar green eyes, looking at her as if she disgusted him. She finally managed to start breathing evenly, however her heart continued to pound against her chest like a drum.
The toilet in the other room flushed, and a few moments later Dean walked in, dazed.
"What's wrong?" He asked immediately. Amie shook her head and wiped some sweat off her face.
"Bad dream," she gasped, lying back down on the bed slowly. It was sticky with sweat, and she pushed the covers off of her.
Dean looked at her sadly, wanting so badly to make her feel better. He walked over to the bed and climbed on, pushing the covers down lower with his feet. Amie stared at the ceiling.
"Go back to sleep," Dean mumbled, kissing her shoulder lightly.
"I can't," she whispered, quietly. "I can't take another nightmare. Every night since I came out of hospital, it's the same." A tear slid silently down her face onto the pillow.
It's okay. It's only been three days," Dean mumbled, wrapping an arm around Amie. She melted into his side. "It will pass baby."
Amie sucked in a breath.
"I didn't want to do this to you baby."
"You're my baby."
"Be quiet baby."
The monster, the thing had called her that. He had sliced her skin open, he had punched her and ripped at her clothes, he had hurt her. She had been beaten so badly, hurt so much… the whole time he had called her baby. She couldn't breathe. Whoever called her baby would hurt her, she could feel it already, she had to get out, she had to escape.
"Amie? What's wrong? Baby!" Amie gasped, more tears rolling down her face. Dean didn't know what to do. How could he save her from nothing? What was it? How could he make it better?
He took his arm away from around her shoulders and touched her arm gently. "It's okay, Amie. We're in bed, you're with me and Sammy's just in the next room. Everything's fine, I promise, just breathe. You can get through this."
Eventually her breathing evened out again.
"Don't call me that," she breathed. Dean furrowed his brow and looked at her, unsure. Then it clicked. In the car on the way to the hospital… the same thing had happened. Both times… she reacted to the word baby.
"Okay," Dean said in a hushed voice. "Okay Amie. Shhh, okay."
"I'm sorry," she gasped into his chest. She was too much effort, he would be better off without her. No man wants someone who's broken and scared. She's a burden.
"Amie, don't be sorry. You are still my brave girl. I will do everything to help you, okay?" Dean whispered, taking her face in his hands. She smiled, tears in her eyes, and kissed her lips.
"Go back to sleep," he breathed. She snuggled into his side again, closing her eyes and swallowing. Her heartbeat slowed, and finally she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Dean did too, however only after Amie had first.
(o(o(o(o(0)o)o)o)o)
"You sure you're ready for this Amie?" Dean asked, looking in the rear view mirror. "You can stay at the hotel. Not too late to turn around."
"I'm fine," Amie sighed, exasperated. She looked at Dean with a raised eyebrow. "Honestly, I can handle it."
"You sure Amie?" Sam asked.
"Yes. Come on guys, what do you think of me?" Amie said, annoyed. Sam and Dean looked at each other then locked their eyes firmly on the road.
Dean's heart beat so fast he thought he was going to pass out. This was different than when he had first met Amie; back then she had been beaten, yes. She had been held captive and god knows what… but at least she was stronger than now. The past week had been hell. She had nightmares every night, she winced every time she thought Dean might hurt her, and had a panic attack. What if she had a melt down while on the hunt? What would he do? What if she got hurt again?
"So what's the case again guys?"
Sam replied, "A guy was found mutilated, hanging above his car. The witness said the attacker was invisible."
"Sounds like us," Amie smiled.
"Sure does," Sam sighed.
"So, what's our cover gonna be?"
Dean grunted. "We're all college kids, transferring here. Sammy and I are brothers, you're my adoring girlfriend who will become best friends with his girlfriend, whoever he was. Then we do what we do and leave."
Amie nodded. They came to a stop outside of a large fraternity house, and Amie climbed out. Dean turned to look at Sam, who nodded and smiled weakly. He followed Amie.
"Any problems, you come find me," Dean said, looking down at the small tired hunter.
"Of course. But there won't be any problems," Amie smiled. Dean smiled back then pulled her in for a tight hug. "Don't get all sappy Dean. I'll see you tomorrow," Amie said thickly into Dean's shoulder.
"I know. I love you," he mumbled, pulling away.
"I love you too," Amie breathed. Dean leaned down and kissed Amie softly, a hand on the side of her face. Amie lifted her arms and placed her hands on the back of his neck. She felt a warm feeling spread in her stomach, an realised she hadn't felt this for days. Maybe she just needed to kiss Dean more often.
He pulled away. "See you then," he said, a smirk on his lips.
He got back in the Impala and drove away, muttering "Shut up," to Sam, feeling a little better than before.
(o(o(o(o(0)o)o)o)o)
"See? We did it!" Amie smiled, sat in the back of the Impala. She smiled at Dean who grinned back. "I knew it!"
"Okay ba-" Dean stopped himself. "Barely made it out," he finished, happy that he had saved it. Amie seemed undeterred.
"Sam still talking to Lori?" Amie asked Dean, who looked in the wing mirror.
"Yeah. I know it sounds bad but… I wish he would kiss her or something. I just want him to be okay… I don't know what to say," he mumbled, staring at the reflection of his brother, worried.
Amie sat forward and put a hand on Dean's shoulder. "Give him time. If I was in Sammy's position, I wouldn't be coping as well as he is. He's strong."
"I know," Dean sighed a Sam walked away from Lori without another word. "I just want to protect my family."