AUTHOR'S NOTES: I'm working on my notes for the last chapters of this story including some twists when it comes to Team Free Will.

Also, the song used in this chapter belongs to Michael Buble and not me.

Chapter 22

My Bloody Valentine

There were many memorable firsts in Ziva David's life.

She remembered her first fight when she was 8.

She remembered her first kiss… the first friend she'd lost to violence and war…

And this year would be her first real Valentine's Day.

Ziva had Dean's word that—while he was on a case-he'd still be available to go to dinner at Ziva's favorite restaurant where he had a special surprise for her.

And Ziva had promised that she would be entirely free that night—even if it meant ducking out of her own case.

As she had hung up the phone after talking with Dean, Ziva felt oddly giddy. An unusual feeling for her… but certainly not an unpleasant one.

For Sam, Dean, and Fiona, the approaching holiday was one that they had never really celebrated in the past.

Well, except for Sam. He remembered his first and only Valentine's Day with Jessica and even though the memory of her death was still painful, Sam was more focused on his first Valentine's Day with Fiona.

Dean, however, was focused more on the case, for once.

A few days ago, a couple had apparently tried to eat each other. The scene had been bloody and while Dean and Sam had gone to interview the victim's families, Fiona had gone to talk to the coroner to try and get an idea of what they were looking at.

But as the three gathered in the motel room, Sam looked at Dean, curiously. "Don't you have to go, man?"

"Oh, right," Dean replied, looking at his watch. He hadn't realized it was getting so late and he quickly changed clothes as he asked, "So what are you two love birds up to tonight?"

Fiona raised an expectant eyebrow at Sam who seemed suddenly put on the spot. He hadn't planned anything extravagant like Dean, but maybe he and Fi will just get take-out or something.

"Sam and I are going out to dinner," Fiona finally replied, sparing her boyfriend. "We might be back late, though."

Dean grinned as he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. He thought about leaving the Impala for his brother and Fi, but then how would he get to the restaurant in time to meet Ziva?

But it turned out Dean shouldn't have worried. As he headed out of the parking lot, a limo pulled in, parking near the motel room where Sam and Fi were. Turning back to the road, Dean headed out, hoping Ziva would like his surprise.

Sam had never been good with the romantic stuff. Whether it was asking a girl out on a date or trying to charm a witness, Sam Winchester had never been comfortable with the whole thing. Sure, he had the puppy dog stare, but that was about it.

Thusly the reason he was grateful that Fiona had taken the lead tonight, arranging the limo and dinner at a cozy little café not far from NCIS.

As the two sat at their table with beers in front of them and an appetizer sampler platter to share, Sam thought about the small wrapped jewelry box in his pocket. He'd spent days trying to find the right gift and finally found just the perfect thing for Fiona.

As she finished off her first beer and ordered another one, Fiona also thought about the gift she'd found for Sam. The man was so hard to shop for and she wanted something meaningful instead of the usual weaponry or books. Something to show that she knew Sam better than anyone.

In the end, Fi thought she could have done better with her choice of gifts, but the pickings lately had been slim and her choices had therefore been fairly limited.

Sam looked at Fiona as the two started their dinners, smiling as he heard the current song playing in the background. "I used to think of you every time I heard this song," he admitted.

Fiona nodded, listening to the theme song from 'An American Tail'. "I used to think of you, too."

Sam paused a moment and finally pulled the jewelry box out and slid it across the table to Fiona who picked it up, pulling the wrapping paper off and opened it, revealing the silver ring inside. "It's a Claddaugh ring," Sam explained. "It means—"

"I know," Fi said, quickly, pulling the ring out and looking at the two hands holding the crowned heart. Looking up at Sam, she smiled. "I love it."

Sam took the ring and Fiona's left hand, sliding the ring onto her finger, the heart pointing towards her. "I'll always be yours," Sam promised, still holding Fi's hand. "And only yours."

Fiona couldn't say anything, but the happy tears in her eyes said plenty.

At a classy restaurant across town, Ziva sat at a table near what was commonly used as a stage area for live performances. When she'd arrived, the maitre d had escorted her here and informed her that Dean would be along shortly.

But when Dean Winchester finally showed up standing on the stage, Ziva found herself speechless—even more so when the music for one of her favorite songs started up.

Dean walked up to Ziva and held out a hand to her. When she took it, he pulled her to her feet and started to sing.

"I'm not surprised—not everything lasts

I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track

Talked myself in—I talked myself out

I get all worked up, then I let myself down

"I tried so very hard not to lose it

I came up with a million excuses

I thought I'd thought of every possibility"

The expression on Ziva's face was priceless as Dean danced with her as he sang and even though he was just a little embarrassed to be singing this kind of music, it was worth it to see Ziva's eyes light up.

"And I know some day that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet"

As much as Dean hated to admit it, the song was the perfect theme for his relationship with Ms. Ziva David. It had been a random circumstance that had drawn the two together and yet somehow they found each other to be more suited than either could have ever imagined.

"I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come outta nowhere and into my life

"And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility"

As Ziva danced with Dean as he sang, she finally understood what it felt like to truly be in love. And she also knew that now and forever, this would be her song with Dean. Nothing else mattered other than this wonderful moment. All the demons and monsters… her father—who hadn't been happy about her being with Dean… Everything other than this moment was pushed far, far away.

"They say all's fair in love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united"

For the first time in his life, Dean Winchester had it right. Until now all of his relationships had been a few nights—a few weeks, max. But he'd finally found someone who made him feel complete. He felt like he could tackle the world and every horrible thing in it. And it was all thanks to the incredible woman he was now twirling across the stage.

"And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me

And now I can see every single possibility

"And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give so much more than I get

I just haven't met you yet"

Dean ended the song by dipping Ziva and giving her a lengthy kiss on the lips as she wound her arms around his neck. When he stood up, all sights and sounds seemed to fade out and all he knew was the sweet taste of Ziva's lips.

The next morning found Fiona and Ziva both practically glowing as they sat in a local diner facing their respective Winchesters. They'd all placed their breakfast orders and were now discussing the current case.

"So according to the police scanner," Sam said, looking at the others. "Another couple was found dead last night. Suicide/homicide. Guy blew his girlfriend's brains out before turning the gun on himself."

"I spoke to Ducky," Ziva added, running her foot slowly up and down Dean's leg, enjoying that he seemed a bit uncomfortable. "He also had a strange case involving an older couple. Whatever this is, it seems to be spreading."

Dean thought quickly and asked, "Any chance we can… see the crime scene photos?" he asked, wishing Ziva would stop touching him with her foot. He felt so horny he could barely think.

"I'll have Abby email copies," Ziva replied, pulling out her phone and calling NCIS's forensic scientist.

"Sam and I will go see the local coroner," Dean added, thinking that he needed to get away from Ziva for an hour or two. God, what the hell was happening to him? His hormones felt like they were on overdrive.

Of course, one glance at Sam and Dean could see that his brother wasn't looking much better. What was going on?

The coroner had happily let the Winchesters in to see the bodies and as the two studied the latest dead couple's organs, Sam spotted something. "Wait a second," he said, pulling the magnifying light over and studying the marks on two of the hearts. "These hearts have identical marks. It's like some sort of letter." Thinking to when he might have seen something similar, Sam groaned. "Oh, no."

"What?" Dean asked, confused.

"I think it's Enochian," Sam explained.

Dean quickly thought and realized what his brother meant. It was an angelic mark, like those on his ribs. Pulling out his cell phone, he called Castiel who appeared in the morgue before Dean even had a chance to hang up the phone.

After giving the rebel angel the cliff's notes version of what was going on, Castiel studied the hearts in question. "You're right, Sam," Cas reported, putting the cold organ back in the container. "These are angelic marks. I imagine you'd find similar marks on the other couples' hearts as well." Turning to look at Sam and Dean, Cas frowned and without warning, he put his hands over the Winchesters' hearts.

"Whoa, dude!" Dean said, backing away, quickly. "Personal space, man. I know it's Valentine's Day and all, but come on!"

"You and Sam are also marked," Castiel explained, looking a bit surprised at that.

"Wait, what?" Sam said, more than a little shocked at the news. "Marked with what? I mean, what do these symbols mean, anyway?"

"They're marks of union," Castiel clarified, indicating the two disembodied hearts. "This man and woman were intended to mate."

Sam and Dean exchanged looks, each thinking of the angel's words.

"Okay, one more time—like I'm 6," Fiona said when Dean, Sam, and Castiel got back to the motel room. Castiel had run through what he knew about Cupids and the marks on the dead couples' hearts and Fi was just floored.

But instead of being patient, Castiel became agitated. "You're not listening. A cupid had gone rogue and we have to stop him before he kills again."

Fiona sighed and shrugged. "Okay. Okay, let me get changed then we'll go hunt down Cupid."

"I'll call Ziva and have her meet us at the restaurant," Dean said as he pulled his cell phone out and brought up his phone book. Catching his younger brother's look, he said, "What? It's a cover."

"Right," Sam replied with a smirk. "Double date," he said, as though it were obvious. "Cause breakfast and lunch wasn't enough."

Dean paused before he went to hit the 'call' button and dial Ziva's number. "Something you want to say, Sammy?"

"Just wondering what's going on with you," Sam said, quickly, not wanting to say what he was really thinking.

Ziva could barely hear her cell phone ringing over the sounds of the bar brawl going on around her. She answered the call while simultaneously elbowing a huge biker in the abdomen before knocking his to the ground with a well-aimed kick to the knee. "Dean, I am a little busy at the moment!" she said, loudly over the din.

"Are you okay? Sounds like a pretty bad fight," Dean said over the phone.

"Nothing I can't handle," Ziva assured him. After getting the address, she hung up the phone and ducked just as a beer bottle went sailing over her head. Without a moment's hesitation, she made her way through the sea of violence and out the back door just as the police arrived through the front.

Arriving behind the restaurant just as Sam and Dean were coming out the back followed by Fiona, Ziva looked around, fervently. "Where is he?"

"Where's who?" Sam asked, suddenly feeling a bit nervous at the eager look in Ziva's eye. He knew that look well, since Dean often had the same one when he was itching to throw down with something or someone.

But before Ziva could reply, she felt someone grab her in a bear-hug from behind. Reacting on instinct, she headbutted her attacker and even though it felt like her head had just collided with a brick wall, the attacker let go and Ziva quickly tackled him to the ground. "Who are you and what do you want?" she demanded of the naked man now lying on the ground.

"Ziva, hey," Dean said, quickly as he and Castiel pulled her off. Looking as Cupid got to his feet, Dean tried to think of anything else other than his hands on Ziva's body. Especially the way his hand was right on her breast…

"No wonder Heaven wanted you and Dean paired together," Cupid said, looking warily at Ziva David. "Talk about perfect couples."

"Wait a second," Dean said, the original problem forgotten for the moment. "What the hell do you mean Heaven wanted us together?" he asked, indicating himself and Ziva.

Cupid still looked nervous, but when he saw that Castiel had a firm hold on Ziva, he said, "You and Ziva are soul mates. Two people so perfectly matched that they'd find themselves through anything." Looking at Sam and Fiona, he added, "And you two—Your destinies have been intertwined for millennia."

"Come again?" Dean questioned, looking from his best friend to his brother. But then it started to make sense. Lilith was the first demon—the first human soul twisted by Lucifer-and Fiona had been possessed by Lilith nearly 9 months ago.

"Oh, and your parents!" Cupid went on, ignoring Dean's glare. "I mean, I didn't fix them up personally, but the union of John Winchester and Mary Campbell? Very big deal upstairs. Top priority arrangement."

Dean didn't say anything.

He couldn't say or hear anything. His mouth was dry and all he could hear was his heart beating faster and faster. He heard a savage growl and found himself suddenly on the ground, Sam and Castiel on top of him.

Dean felt his heart rate slowly return to normal and he saw Ziva lying unconscious on the ground next to Fiona who suddenly looked like he felt. "We need to get out of here," Dean managed to say, finally.

As if killer couples and Cupids weren't strange enough, when Sam and Dean got back to their motel room—Fiona and Ziva were at a hotel across town—the Winchesters found Anna and Gabriel waiting for them.

Gabriel was sitting on the bed Dean had been sleeping in and the covers were heavily littered with candy wrappers.

"That stuff will rot your teeth, you know," Dean said as he closed the motel door.

"And a happy Valentine's to you," Gabriel replied, toasting the two hunters with the last of his candy bar.

Sam sat down on his own bed and asked, "So what are you guys doing here, anyway?"

Anna shot a glare at Gabriel who was still stuffing his face with candy before looking back at Dean and Sam. "Famine's in town."

"Famine?" Sam repeated, feeling his stomach sink. "The Horseman?" But suddenly, he felt shaky and he could feel his blood pounding in his veins.

"Sammy?" Dean said, going to his brother and putting a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Hey, come on, Sam."

"You gotta help me, Dean," Sam said, looking his brother in the eye. "I need…"

Dean's heart sank as he saw the look in Sam's eyes. Without Fiona, Sam was starting to hunger for demon blood. Dean straightened up and turned to the two angels. "Anna, go bring Fi and Ziva here."

"Dean, no," Sam said, insistently. He was becoming feverish and his heart rate was getting faster. The last thing he needed right now was dealing with his desire for Fiona on top of his thirst for demon blood.

But being the big brother that he was, Dean was already ahead of Sam's line of thought and grabbed a pair of handcuffs from his duffel before helping Sam into the bathroom and getting him settled on the floor and cuffing him to the pipes under the sink.

"You'll be okay, Sammy," Dean assured his younger brother. "Promise." Straightening up when he heard the sound of wings behind him, Dean turned and saw Anna with Ziva and Fiona. He locked the bathroom door before closing it and turned to Fiona. "Fiver, stay here and do not go in the bathroom. Just… keep talking to Sam through the door, okay?"

Fiona nodded, knowing that she couldn't be in the same room as Sam right now. "Got it," she replied, simply.

Turning to Castiel and Gabriel, Dean wished that there was someone else who could back Fiona up, but he needed Ziva and Anna with him. "Let's go," Dean said quickly, heading out the door and locking it behind him.

"So what's your poison, Cas?" Gabriel asked before conjuring up a new candy bar and opening it.

Castiel seemed nervous at the thought, but finally replied, "Hamburgers."

"Done and done, little bro," Gabriel replied, snapping his fingers and making a huge platter of burgers appear on the dresser.

As the trio headed to the other side of town where Anna had tracked Famine to, Dean was grateful that the angel was in the passenger seat, rather than Ziva.

"It'll be okay, Dean," Anna assured the anxious hunter after the 10th time he'd looked in the rearview mirror in 5 minutes.

"How? How is this going to be okay?" Dean demanded to know. All he wanted to do was pull the car over, crawl in the backseat with Ziva and let her ride him until he begged for mercy or died of heart failure—whichever came first.

"Look, we'll go get the ring and it'll be over, okay?" Anna replied, calmly. She didn't like the current plan but she was the only angel who wouldn't be affected by Famine, so she had to go along with it.

When they reached the restaurant where the Horseman was stationed, parking in the field nearby, Dean looked at the parking lot where several demons were milling about. "Demons," he said, dismally. Looking at his companions, he asked, "Any ideas?"

But Ziva was already out of the car, grabbing her knives and guns from the trunk before striding briskly towards the front door.

Dean was out just as quick, but as he watched his girlfriend fight her way through the crowds of demons, he started wondering if Ziva really needed back-up.

With Gabriel and Castiel both immersed in their respective obsessions, neither angel was prepared when a pair of demons broke into the motel room.

Fiona tried grabbing for the shotgun in her bag but before she could get a shot off, she found herself thrown from the wheelchair and onto the floor. "Sam!" she shouted, urgently. "Help!"

"Oh, don't bother calling for help," said a familiar voice.

Fi managed to turn over onto her back and she looked up to see Ruby standing over her. "What are you doing here?"

"How could I resist?" Ruby laughed, watching as Fiona tried to pull herself up onto the bed. Throwing Fiona across the room, she said, "We're going to take this nice and slow."

"You got that right," Sam said, coming out of the bathroom, the broken handcuffs still around his wrists. He grabbed Ruby and threw her against the TV and quickly pulled out his knife, cutting Ruby's neck and gulping her blood as fast as he could before plunging the knife into her heart.

Fiona looked on, horrified, as she watched Sam kill the other demon before turning back to Fiona.

In that moment, Fiona found herself scared to death, but at the same time, she wanted Sam to rip her clothes off and screw her brains out.

His craving for demon blood satisfied, Sam picked Fiona up and threw her onto the bed before straddling her as he pulled his shirt off and unzipping his jeans. At the same time, Fiona undid her own pants before Sam yanked her shirt off and tossed her bra across the room.

The demons protecting Famine had been expecting Dean—had even expected the angel as well—but they hadn't counted on Ziva David.

Ziva fought like a one-woman army—killing any demon that was foolish enough to come near her.

"Stop!" Famine ordered as the last few demons started towards Ziva. He directed the electric wheelchair he sat in towards the Mossad officer/NCIS agent and smiled as he studied her. "Did that feel good? Killing all those demons? The chance to embrace your true self with nothing to hold you back." He studied Ziva a moment, utterly fascinated. "Such a strange thing to be hungry for…"

But before Famine could say anything else, Ziva stepped forward, pulling out her favorite knife and sliced off the Horseman's hand. The demons—rather than making a run for it—charged Ziva, each meeting a bloody demise. When the room was empty except for herself, Ziva looked around at the carnage she'd wrought.

"Ziva?" Dean said, cautiously, as he came in. To his grateful surprise, he didn't feel the rush of passion as she threw her arms around him. "It's okay," he said, holding her as she trembled as she came down from the adrenaline rush. "I've got you."

The drive to Bobby's house was long and mostly spent in silence.

Fiona was exhausted from the wild sex with Sam and slept in the backseat while Sam sat in the passenger seat and Dean drove. "How're Gabriel and Cas?" Dean finally asked, resolutely not looking at his brother.

"They're fine," Sam replied, grateful that Dean was talking again. "No lasting cravings for Cas, at least."

"Good," Dean muttered, not wanting to say what he was really thinking. "And Ruby?"

"Dead," Sam reported, quietly. After a while, he sighed and said, "Dean, I didn't want to—"

"Don't, Sam," Dean said, his voice harsher than he'd meant. "Not right now," he added, softening his tone.

Sam knew that Dean was pissed about the demon blood. Probably even more pissed that Castiel and Gabriel had failed to do anything about the situation. And Sam also knew that he was in for a long, hard detoxing period in the panic room. And truth be told, he hated himself for giving in to his hunger. But hearing Fiona shifting slightly in her sleep, he wondered is she'd forgive him for his actions. "Dean, it wasn't me," Sam tried again, looking at his brother. "You know that, right?"

"I know," Dean nodded. After a while, he added, "I've always been jealous of you, you know?" He caught Sam's curious look and went on. "That whole normal life thing? I think that's why I was so hungry for Ziva. 'Cause for the first time in my life… I've got a chance at it, you know?"

Sam didn't say anything, but he wondered if that was the reason he wanted to be with Fiona so badly.

When Fiona woke up in the back of the Impala late that night, she thought at first she was dreaming. Especially when she realized that she feel and move her legs again. She got out of the car and just stood for a few seconds, reveling in the moment.

"I asked Dean why Gabriel or Cas didn't do that right away," Anna said, walking into view. When Fi looked confused, Anna smiled. "Healing you… and Bobby."

"I guess I got used to it," Fiona replied, shrugging, as she walked around the Impala. "I felt like it was my punishment for letting Lucifer out."

Anna could understand Fiona's feelings. But she also knew that guilt could sometimes confuse things. "I want to help, Fiona."

Looking at her legs, Fiona smiled and looked back up at the redheaded angel. "You have."