CHAPTER 2 – Gunpowder and Leather

DEAN POV

Without turning around to face the girl, Dean said, "I have a few things here fix you up. You got knocked around pretty badly. When Sammy's done in the bathroom we'll get you cleaned and bandaged up. Ok?" Finally, turning towards her he saw that she was attempting to sit up and silently cursed; the stubborn skirt hadn't made a noise and she was obviously in pain. Walking closer her helped her prop herself against the head board in a more comfortable angle.

"Thank you." He heard the girl speak quietly.

"You're Welcome." He replied as he nervously (only to someone who knows him well – for example us) smoothed the coverlet over her.

"No. I mean, yes," the girl stammered looking up at him, "thank you for helping me sit up but also thank you for getting me out of there and… Did you catch me earlier?"

The question caught him off guard and he didn't know how to answer her so he stood abruptly and turned to the table to continue unpacking the grocery bags.

Knowing he had to answer her he gave a perfunctory "Least I could do. You stepped in for me."

DAWN POV

She only asked if he caught her because she wasn't sure if it was a dream or not –

She never actually saw him – the light had been too bright and she was disoriented - he just seemed familiar somehow, perhaps it was the smell of cinnamon?

He moved back quickly and returned to the table to finish removing things from the bags.

Was he always like this or was he mad? Having no idea what she may have done to earn her the detached tone she was receiving she lowered her head. "I don't want to be an inconvenience. If I could just have my clothes I'll be on my way."

The man's motions stilled and once more he turned to face her. She could not read his face so she averted her eyes once more and tried to get out of the bed taking his silence for assent.

Before she could fully swing her legs over the edge he was there stilling her movements and pushing her sit against the headboard again. She looked into two wide green eyes lined with thick lashes and completely spaced out.

He had better eyes than Angel or Spike – huh go figure- She never thought green eyes could be so …yum.

Snap Out of it Dawn! He's talking to you. "…start over I'm just a little tired."

"Excuse me, what?"

"I said we should start over. I'm just a little irritable because I haven't slept yet."

"Oh." He was kneeling next to the bed and she could smell the spicy scent of cinnamon lingering in the air around them. It was a warm smell that gave her a moment's pause, she could smell the coffee on his breath so it wasn't gum and he didn't exactly look like the scented shampoo type. Did they have cinnamon cologne? Aftershave? She didn't think so.

"Are you feeling well? You look like you zoned out a moment ago. Are you dizzy?"

"Oh, um, yes?" great Dawn way sound like a helpless woman. "I mean I am a little dizzy, yes. Just having some trouble with concentration."

He stood up and sat on the bed by her knees and gave her a rakish grin and her heart nearly stopped. "I'm Dean by the way and you've met Sammy. I'm afraid I do not know your name, you're a hand bag was a…mangled so we couldn't get any information about you."

"Dawn. My name is Dawn. It's a pleasure to meet you Dean."

Dean. He was Dean. Could mean "leader" or "chief" from Middle English or if it was taken from a family surname, "valley," I think. Hum… Wonder if he knows the meaning of his name. Was he named for someone? Did his parents know the meaning?

While I was musing over his name, proud of myself that I could work out a problem at this point although quickly loosing my strength, the bathroom door opened and Sammy came out fresh, clean and slightly more alert. "Bathroom's free." He said to the both of us and strolled over to his carryall to place his dirty clothes inside.

DEAN POV

Dawn huh? Interesting. Sunrise, New Beginning, Start of the Journey, End of Danger. Wonder if her parents were hippies…

"Bathroom's free," Sammy said as he gave me an unreadable look. What was he up to? I hope it's not another prank war. I'm so not in the mood.

"Alright let's get you cleaned up a little shall we?" I said before I smiled and shirked my jacket into the chair. Picking up one bag I walked into the bathroom set it on the counter and began to adjust the water and let it flow into the tub. I walked back out into the lovely aquatic themed main room to assist Dawn into the bathroom to clean her wounds.

She seemed so helpless, so different from last night. I thought I was done for; needless to say I was shocked when the Warlock dropped me.

When the blood stopped ringing in my ears and the spots cleared I saw a slight woman facing down the Warlock with a gun. My first thought was I hope she knows how to use that thing I mean Christ she better not hit me. Then the bastard went after her. I was still on the ground the binding spell was still working and all I could think of was that I would be watching this brave woman die because of me.

She hadn't missed him once and I could tell she was confused as to why the "man" was still walking towards her. When it was clear the gun had little to no effect it was too late and she was being choked. It was not until he tossed her into the corner that I noticed that she was no older than Sammy.

The warlock was well into mutilation of her back by the time I was able to break free of the binding spell. Her blood was drying in pieces of her hair the same color. The Warlock hadn't noticed I had broken the spell and I was able to use my own gun with consecrated iron. Then I salted and burned the body -worked like a charm.

When the danger had passed I did the first thing I could think of and called Sammy. He cane to get us because I was in no condition to drive. When he suggested we drop her off in the Emergency room I almost took his head off and I have no idea why. I just couldn't leave her.

Instead if answering I picked up her tiny frame and carried her to the Impala. She smelled like orange blossoms and rain, She was delicately featured and had long eyelashes that lay heavily on her cheeks. I laced her in the back seat and took shotgun. "Motel Sammy."

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I spoke up knowing that she wasn't strong on her feet I asked, "Sammy a little help here?"

DAWN POV

I was going to protest when I realized it was futile to do so. Dean was a Mother Hen. I wonder if he realizes he does it? Besides, I really won't be able to make it on my own.

When the guys got closer my first thought was Woah! Sammy is huge! (and I wasn't looking at his package –heads out of the gutter people) Then I realized I hadn't paid much attention to Sammy after I assessed that he was not a threat. I thought Dean was the taller of the two.

He just seemed to invade all the space around him while Sammy seemed to pull himself closer to his core. It was then that I realized I was seeing their auras as well as their corporeal form. Dean was simply less…controlled in some way I have yet to define.

When they were able to get me standing I noticed that Sammy had a good few inches on Dean – and Dean had a head on me.

When the brothers walked her into the bathroom she could smell a combination of soap and that undertone of cinnamon. First and foremost perhaps she could smell the gunpowder and leather – a combination no Summers woman could refuse.