Aislin sat by Sam's bedside in the most uncomfortable chair, reading up on some lore, when Bobby popped his head in.

"What ya doing in here still?"

She looked up from her study to see Bobby entering. She wore a small smile.

"Waiting for Sam to wake up."

"Might not be for a while you know." Bobby tried to sound optimistic.

Aislin smiled more.

"I know Bobby. I just figured he wouldn't want to be alone when he did wake up."

Bobby sat in the chair next to her, patting her on the shoulder as he stretched his legs.

"I get it chickpea. You know how upset she was over that."

Aislin set her book aside, feeling a full on conversation starting.

"I forgave her a long time ago for that. It's just ... when I think about how I felt, waking in a strange, empty place in pain. I don't want that for anyone else."

Aislin was a good kid, much like Sam in a lot of ways. Bobby admired her strength and persistence.

The first time Aislin was badly hurt, Vala had brought her to Bobby's. It was about two weeks into their time together. A draugr had torn the tiny girl to shreds. Vala, having known Bobby to pull a miracle or two, threw Aislin in the back seat of her GTO and floored it across North Carolina and made it to the salvage yard shortly before Aislin bled to death.

It was very touch and go for nearly a week. Vala had done all that she could think of to save her baby sister. She used spells, chants, ancient rituals. She even tried prayer, but nothing seemed to work.

Finally, after one long, frightful night in which Aislin caught a respiratory infection, Vala took off.

Bobby was near paralized when he woke in the morning to find the GTO gone and Aislin still in her bed. Vala hadn't even left a note. She just left.

Fearful for the distraught girl, Bobby had a trance put on her phone and found her at the intersection of Wilson and Regional Road 42.

"Balls!"
She was making a crossroads deal.

Bobby had taken off in his rusted old truck to bring her back before she made the same mistake some other idjit he'd known had made, but it was too late.

As soon as Bobby had pulled away from the yard, Aislin's eyes fluttered open. She had wandered around the house for almost two hours before Vala had arrived back, Bobby hot on her heels.

She had made Bobby promise never to tell Aislin about the deal she made with the demon, threatening that she'd just kill herself if he did. Vala couldn't bear the thought of her sister spending the remaining years they had together with it looming over her head. Bobby promised, but not without a few shed tears and a painfully angry look about him.

Sam flinched and his face showed the pain, but his eyes remained shut tight. Both Bobby and Aislin turned their attention to him. They settled shortly after he did. The bruising was becoming more apparent now.

"Why don't you take a break Linney. I'll sit guard over Sam."

Aislin shook her head and reopened the book she'd been staring at.

"It's alright Bobby. It's kinda peaceful here, in a weird sorta way."

Aislin gazed back at Sam, who looked calmer now than he did five minutes ago. She couldn't understand why, but Linney enjoyed being near him. She felt better than she had in a while just sitting quietly by his side. She didn't want to leave the room.

And Bobby didn't argue with her about it. He simply rose from his seat, patted her shoulder once more, and mumbled something about idjits and a sandwich as he left the room.