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A Promise Made

A euphoric high swept through her body! She'd just made her first vamp kill, beheaded the bastard when he corned Dean. It was her first interaction with the species on a hunt since that night in the old house. Her stomach turned. She made it down the stairs, halfway to the Impala, leaned over, and spilled her lunch onto the lawn.

Deans' roar of laughter increased in volume as he came near. He pulled her braid out of the line of fire, and patted her back.

"Happens to the best of us sometimes."

She wanted to tell him to shut his pie hole, but her mouth was occupied. Finished she sat up, wiped her mouth on her sleeve, and narrowed her eyes at a smirking Dean. Her Father arrived, peered down at the mess of sick and frowned.

"That's not like you Mari." He placed the back of his hand on her head and grunted.

"She's not squeamish, she's sick boy. Her forehead is burning up. Come on, let's haul it out of here double time."

Thank God. She'd been worried she was going soft. A hunter who hesitated or fell apart died. They all knew that. The world around her began to blur, and she swayed.

"Whoa!" The feel of strong arms encircling her helped her stay grounded.

"Come on Ri, let's get you to the car." It was Dean, only he called her that. He helped her to the car, opened the door, and laid her across the back seat. She closed her eyes to keep the world from spinning and prayed she could keep everything in her stomach. If I puke in Baby, I'll never live it down. Her lids drifted shut and she succumbed to the darkness.

She opened her eyes and peered around the dimly lit room. Blankets had been tossed over the window, so it must be daytime. How long had she been here? Where was everyone else?

"Sam, Dean?" Her throat ached and her voice was hoarse.

"They're at school. We're back home." Dad walked into her room and sank down. "How are you feeling? You've had a fever of one hundred and two for a day or so. I was about ready to take you into the hospital."

"Thirsty, and drained, but better." He placed a hand on her forehead.

"Well your fever has broken. I'll get you some water, and a little more medicine." One on one time with Dad was rare. It sucked it was for such a shit reason.

He returned with water and two pills. She tossed them back, drank a half cup of water and handed it over.

"I need to talk to you about something." He sank down onto the bed beside her. She'd never seen him look so serious.

"Dad?"

"We never get a chance to talk alone. So I have to say this now. I know it's a lot to lay on you, but if it's one thing I've taught you it's too sacrifice for family."

His words scared her.

"What's going on?"

"I need you to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Don't be so quick to agree to this one, it's not an easy call to make. If I'm not around and the boys fall prey to the darkness that surrounds us, and turn into something… less than human I want to know you'll put them down."

She gasped. They lived with that reality in the back of their mind, buried deep where it wouldn't affect their ability to hunt, but they never said the words out loud."

"Dad that's not going to—."

"Promise me." He pinned her with a dark gaze, full of desperation and sorrow. How could she do anything other than ease his mind.

"Okay Dad, I promise."

"Okay." He sighed, the tension melted from him like ice-cream cone in ninety degree heat. It was clear he'd been worried, but why?