Ok so I have to give Dodger credit for this chapter. She helped me a lot with editing and figuring things out and even wrote part of it. So much loves goes out to Dodger!!! With that being said hope everyone enjoys the chapter, sorry it took so long :) Next chapter hopfully will up up sooner than this one is, but I can't make any promises :)

Marie walked through the grocery isle with Dean. It had been two weeks since Castiel had left suddenly leaving Marie with Dean, Sam and Bobby. It had been a relaxing couple of months, she had a bed, food and was safe; at least for the most part. Bobby had become like a father to her, though she had spent most of her time with Dean, and sometimes Sam when he was not helping Bobby. Dean made her feel something that she wasn't sure what it was. She found that they were similar in a big way; both had gone through repeated torture. Though Dean had not fully said what had happened Marie knew the signs as she had experienced them herself. Her nightmares had not lessened since staying with the boys, if anything they had gotten worse, why she was not sure.

"Do you want regular or sour cream?" asked Dean bringing her out of her thoughts. Marie stared blankly at the bags and shrugged. "Sour cream it is then," said Dean ignoring Marie's blank look. It had been about three weeks since she had seen either of the boys. Sam had not come back with Dean, and he refused to say what had happened. Over the last couple of months she had learned not to push Dean, and he had not pushed her in return. She had broken down a couple of weeks ago one night. It was one of the first nights where she had accepted comfort from someone other than Castiel.

Marie woke up in a cold sweat, sitting up and pulling herself from bed she swung her bedroom door open. She had had the dream again. The dogs, hellhounds whatever they were, were scratching at her door to get in while her foster father came closer and closer to her with his belt in hand. She screamed for Castiel but he never came. She knew it was a dream but she had to make sure. Since being with the boys she had not seen or heard a single hound, but as Bobby explained this was due to the many seals that he had in place. She was completely safe, they reassured her.

She made her way into the hallway then down the stairs to the kitchen. She made herself some hot chocolate, then took a comforter from the couch and went outside to sit onto the front porch steps. She looked up into the sky. Where are you? She thought as she fingered the feather around her neck. Tears started to fall once more, it was not long before she was sobbing; her hot chocolate dropped from her hands and tumbled down the steps to the ground. She wrapped the blanket around her tighter as she cried. Suddenly she felt a pair of arms go around her. She froze, "Its okay… your okay," Dean whispered. She felt him sit behind her, she took the blanket off her of and gave it to Dean who simply wrapped it around himself then pulled her to his naked chest. She turned to face his chest. She was now being cradled in his arms, but he said nothing. They sat there like this for the longest time. Marie started to trace her finger along his chest, there was a single scar that ran down his left side; Dean shivered under her touch. She looked up at him, her tears gone by this point. His eyes were tired, not from sleep, but from what they had seen. Dean's eyes were aged beyond his years.

"What are you doing out here," he whispered looking into her eyes.

"Nightmare….you?" She asked looking down, away from his intense gaze.

"I don't sleep much anymore, I was checking on you…and you weren't there so I got worried," he replied.

"Why?" she asked confused.

"Why what?"

"Why would you care?" Dean looked down at Marie. He was still confused by her. She was so insecure, and vulnerable, and yet she smiled and went about her day as if nothing was wrong most of the time. Her eyes were tainted though. He saw the fear, worry and pain; it was the same in his eyes he was certain.

"You… Marie I care because… you are a friend. You have to understand I don't have many friends. I have fellow hunters, but other than Sam and Bobby… I don't have anyone else. You could say, you are a welcome change." He said with a soft smile.

"hmmm" was all she said in return. She was confused as he was. She loved Castiel. Yes she loved an Angel of the Lord; but how could she not? He was the only person who had ever been there for her through all the pain and suffering. She had not seen him in weeks, and this apocalypse prevention plan the boys had going on, involved Castiel, but since that day on the couch when he saw her feather, she had not seen him. Marie missed him, but as the days went on she was getting worried. Dean obviously had talked to him but he still never visited. She couldn't feel his presence like she usually could; it was like he was avoiding her. It hurt.

Dean sighed; he could stay like this forever. Marie made him feel…free. He hadn't felt like that in months. She was giving him comfort and she didn't even know it. Over the past couple of months, Bobby's had become their home base, and she had really made it feel homey. She cooked for them, helped Sam with research, basically was earning her keep as she kept putting it. He sighed once again and pulled her even closer, he was afraid to lose her because he was afraid to lose the comfort that came with her. A cold wind blew through making both shiver.

"I dreamt of my first foster home and the hell hounds… he… he did things to me. He is the one that gave me the scar you saw in the hospital." Said Marie placing her head on his chest once more. Dean stiffened at this revelation. "Castiel showed up not to long after that, and then I was on to the next foster home, but it never got better… he lied."

"I… don't worry I won't let anything happen to you. You are safe with me, like I said you are my only friend in this battle. From experience, I won't let you go to hell. It won't happen, you don't deserve it."

"I believe you, what do you mean from experience? Is that where you got the scar from?" asked Marie with a soft tone, putting her hand on his chest by the scar.

"Yes…I…" struggled Dean, his breathing had become labored and he had shut his eyes, tears threatening to fall.

"Shhh. Its okay, you don't have to tell me right now. I am here though, that is what friends are for right?" asked Marie, who was now completely turned in his arms and holding his face with her hands her forehead touch his. Dean smiled softly, the tears going away. "Comfort," he thought.

"We should go in. We both need more sleep."

"It's okay I am just going to go for a run. I can't sleep…"

"Why don't I stay with you…I can sleep with you," mumbled Marie, a slight blush forming on her cheeks. "I don't mean sleep with you sleep with you-"

"I got what you meant. We are friends right?" Dean smiled softly standing up, helping Marie up in the process.

That night was the first night neither of them had any nightmares.

It was a couple of more weeks before she saw Castiel again. She had been doing the dishes when she noticed his reflection in the window. Marie paused for a moment before continuing to wash the dish she had in her hand. If he was going to make her wait, then she can surely return the favour, she thought spitefully. She knew it was childish but she didn't care.

"Hello Marie, how are you?" asked Castiel in a cool voice.

"Peachy, you?" she replied shortly turning around after putting the dish in the dish rack.

"I am fine… I need you to do something for me." He stated coming closer to her. He stopped right in front of her and Marie fought to keep her breathing regular. Marie crossed her arms defensively and looked down to the floor, her cheeks flushing as each moment passed.

"If I do it will you tell me why you have been avoiding me?" She asked looking up into his eyes.

"I…" He stopped mid-thought before continuing. "I have not been avoiding you. I told you I was going to find the answer to why they are after you. So far I have been unsuccessful… but I have also been busy with the Apocalypse. Heaven does not take too kindly to my interests in this matter. As I am sure you are aware that my vision has been cleared recently… it is not a mistake I will make again. I have more urgent things to do then constantly watch over you." Said Castiel.

Marie's eyes went wide, hurt flashed through them before she composed herself (a trick she was developing with Dean). She pushed past Castiel, trying to settle herself and prevent the tears that wanted to fall. "What do you want me to do?" She asked in a whisper.

Castiel's eyes softened for a moment. Oh no… Father please… he thought but then answered her question. Dean needed her help. "Go to this hotel room and find Dean. He needs your help." He handed her a piece of paper; she looked at it briefly then left the room, picking up her bag in the hallway. As she was about to reach for the keys to Bobby's truck Castiel hand gripped her wrist to stop her. "It would be faster if I took you." Castiel offered, but Marie wanted him nowhere near her. She had wanted him back for so long that now she didn't know how to feel about him. Her saviour at one point now proved to be beyond cold and distant. She needed to get away from him. She needed to get to Dean, if Castiel said he was in trouble she had no reason not the believe him.

"Is there any way you don't have to come?" She asked not looking the angel in the eye. If she had she may have seen a possible pained expression on the angel… though what was pain to an angel? Castiel submitted to her request.

"Of course." And without any other ceremony he lightly touched her forehead with his fingers. The next thing Marie knew she was in the hallway of where she assumed was the hotel she meant to be at. Regaining her footing for a second she looked towards the hotel room doors and began to run towards the room that Dean was suppose to be in.

His throat was killing him… He couldn't get air to his lungs fast enough. Get Up!!! The voice in the back of his mind demanded. He tried to roll onto his side but didn't have the energy. Get up Now!!! It oddly sounded like his father. He was fighting through the haze, trying to remember how he ended up on the floor and why his throat hurt. Sam!!! He wondered himself where Sam was… And then everything came crashing back to reality.

Sam.

Ruby.

Demon Blood.

The fight…

'If you walk out that door, don't you ever come back!'

"Sam," he managed to croak out of his sore throat.

"Oh my God! Dean!" He recognized the female voice. He must have imagined it. He looked over at the door and she stood there looking down on him in horror. The energy he was using to sit up left him; collapsing into a heap on the floor once more. "Dean!" Marie cried again, rushing towards him.

He felt her arms snake around, trying to pull him off the floor. No Marie, get away Marie. He couldn't have her see him like this. He needed to get away from here, from her. So weak! His father's voice snaked through his head He was in enough pain to think that he was imagining all this. "Dean. C'mon, stay with me." She forced one of his arms around her shoulders, struggling with his added weight. When his arm tightened, he looked at her like it was the first time seeing her there.

"Marie?" He forced out of his abused throat.

"'Course it's me" She encouraged as his grip began to feel more desperate.

"How?" He coughed, the dryness irritating him.

"Castiel sent me." She helped him sit down on the bed. When he felt her warmth leave him, he thought he finally had lost his mind, but seconds later she was back with a glass of water. He gratefully drank it, his throat easing with the cool liquid. "Where's Sam?" She asked when the silence between them got too much. Dean closed his eyes, the betrayal still fresh in his mind.

Her hands were cool when they rested against his sensitive neck. "What happened?" When he shied away from her, she continued. "Dean?" He knew he couldn't leave her hanging like this, but there was no way he could tell her just yet. Hell it was hard trying to tell her what was going on with Sam in Bobby's basement. "Dean?" She tried to reach him but he wouldn't let her.

"We should… we should uh get back to Bobby's." He faltered as he tried to stand up, Marie moved quick steadying him and allowing him to put some of his weight on her. She wanted to push the subject but it would've just made Dean close off more.

"Fine… but I drive." She smiled as she slipped her hand in his coat pocket and grabbed the keys to the Impala.

A few hours later they were in the middle of nowhere and it was getting pretty late. They wouldn't be at Bobby's for another three to four hours and they had already been on the road for two and a half. In that time nothing was said between the two of them. Dean had put the volume on high and turned his attention to the passenger window, closing his eyes and allowing the familiarity of Journey to ease his mind. If he tried he found he could pretend that Sam was driving the Impala and that none of this happened. However, those thoughts often ended in anger towards his little brother. He was grateful how quiet Marie was. He knew that she was dying to know what was happening. Being left in the dark is never fun and he had the feeling he owed her the truth anyways… but maybe not until they reached Bobby.

He felt his baby shift slightly to the right and then was shocked when the tired crunched onto the shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked over at Marie. She didn't bothering acknowledging his agitation. She put the Impala in park and turned the ignition off. The only light that was offered was the Moon and it cast everything into an eerie blue light.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Marie asked, not looking at him. Her hands still clasped the steering wheel tightly, like she was fighting for the courage to confront him.

"I'll tell you when we get to Bobby's." Dean answered gruffly.

"Not good enough." She countered, which surprised him. Marie never challenged him like this.

"Marie…" He pleaded softly, he needed sleep, he couldn't do this right now.

"No. You listen. For months I've been sitting, waiting for fucking answers. Some things going on and I'm sick and tired of being left in the dark! Understand?" Her voice had escalated as she spoke. Her eyes shifted briefly towards him then back to the empty motionless road. "I've put a lot of faith you in guys, in you, and I expect a little reciprocation if you don't mind!" There was silence and Dean watched as she pulled herself together. "So… either you tell me what's going on right now, or I get out of this car and you'll never have to see me again."

"Marie…" She could tell from his tone that he wasn't going to give her anything yet. Without looking at him she undid her seatbelt and opened the door. She shut the driver's door rather harshly before opening the back and grabbing her duffle. Slamming the door shut she started walking down the road. Dean reacted slow, after everything he couldn't bring himself to move any faster. "Marie, wait." He pleaded as he got out of the car. When she didn't listen he chased after her. "Where are you going to go? The last town was an hour drive away. There isn't anything here." She still didn't stop. "What about the hellhound?" This got her to finally pause and she looked up in the starry sky.

"What about the hellhound?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the wind carried it to Dean as he walked closer to her. When he stood next to her, her eyes were still glued to the sky and Dean followed them. "I'm tired of running from it Dean. I'm tired of not knowing why it is chasing me. I'm tired of waiting for everyone to decide to clue me in. I'm tired of waiting…" She trailed off, finishing the sentence in her head. 'for Castiel.' He didn't say anything because he couldn't say anything that would make it better. "Everyone keeps saying I'm in it now… what the hell am I in? I'm done waiting for answers, if the hellhound comes, than it comes… I'll deal with it like I've dealt with everything else." She looked away from the sky finally and took a quick look at his profile. "Thank you, for taking me in. I'll miss you, Dean Winchester." He was surprised when he felt her hand cup his cheek, leading him to look into her eyes. "You've been a good friend." She hugged him letting everything that happened between them melt away as she separated. "Tell Bobby that I'll miss him. And wherever Sam is tell him what I said." She then turned away from him again and started walking; the duffle swung over her shoulder.

Dean hated goodbyes, hated them almost as much as everything else about this year. He avoided them, and here Marie forced him to have one. Have one with the one person that had given him comfort. Stop her!

"Sam's been drinking demon's blood." Marie stopped in her tracks and gave a hiss of understanding as what Dean said sunk in. She turned and looked at him. He seemed even more vulnerable standing there than he had on the floor in that honeymoon suite. Subconsciously she moved back towards him. After her first step back to him, he couldn't stop the rest of the words that spewed out of his mouth. He told her everything, everything that happened over the last year. Even told her about Hell, not with details because no matter what he would never be able to say those things out loud. He talked quickly about the year of his deal, and then even the year before that about the Hell Gates opening. He mentioned briefly about his father and he couldn't say anything more. He hadn't felt the tears form until Marie was brushing her thumb over his cheeks, pushing the tears away. Her arms wrapped around his neck bringing him into another hug. He allowed her to hold him because despite everything else it felt good and comforting. He pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry." She whispered; he struggled with himself trying not to stop her as she pulled away from him. It felt beyond liberating and he had to look away fast to regain his composure. "Dean?" Marie asked timidly.

"We better be getting back to Bobby, if we're going to figure this out." Marie nodded softly, grapping his hands and holding it in hers as they walked back to the Impala. "We're going to get answers, you know that, right?"

"Just like you know we're going to figure out something about Sam?" Dean didn't think he could smile after everything that happened but he did. He couldn't think about reaching out to Sam right now though. A demon over him… that was something too deep and it wasn't going to heal any time soon. They got into the car once more, this time Dean was in the driver's seat and Marie was in the passenger. She threw her duffle in the back; she always carried it… never knowing when the next time she was going to have to take off. She was glad that this times preparation was unnecessary.