"A Pagan god? You ever hunt one before?"

"No, but think about it. It all makes sense." Dean lied down in the bed of their motel room, trying to think about this case and what they'd seen earlier. "The couples disappearing every year like some sort of fertility ritual sacrifices, the town being 'blessed' while every other ones around are struggling with their farms and homes…I'm telling you, we're dealing with a Pagan god and the locals are offering him sacrifices every year to protect their town."

Alina was surprised of how much this all really made sense. She already knew about Dean's vast knowledge had about the hunting life, but she probably was surprised because usually Sam was the first to find the answers. It was impressive to see Dean acting with so much confidence about a theory for once, and she hadn't even realized she was smiling until he turned to her. She instantly dropped the smile and cleared her throat, sitting on the side of the large bed. Since Sam wasn't here, they'd picked a room with one bed instead of two. They both weren't sure to be totally comfortable like that, but none of them had objected at the reception. They wouldn't admit it, but they were so used to sleep in the same bed now, they didn't even know if they could fall asleep without the other right next to them.

"Okay so what do we do now? If you're right that means the cycle will end soon, we need to find a way to kill that thing before it hurts anyone else and disappears for another year."

"That's why I found a community college not too far from here. If someone there can give us the infos we need, we won't have to waste time on researches. I'll call tomorrow and try to get an appointment in the morning."

Alina had to fight against every muscles in her face not to smile again. Why was he so attractive right now? Why was she thinking about their kiss again? She had to think about something else. Talk about something else. The case, the car, even Sam…just something…

"So about that kiss…" Why? Why would she say that? Why?!

From the way Dean was sitting up on his bed and staring at her silently, she just knew she was screwed. She couldn't change the topic now. But she couldn't say the truth either, she couldn't tell him how much she'd enjoyed it…

"That was a good idea." She simply decided to compliment him, hoping he would just agree and forget about it.

"Yeah…but it was your idea to act like we were together. And it worked, we definitely saved that couple."

"Well you also fixed their car. That was impressive."

They stared at each other, completely mesmerized by the other's eyes, unable to look away even as the room was starting to get hotter.

However, Alina decided to break the eye contact after a long silence. "We should get some sleep now. We're killing a Pagan god tomorrow after all." She let out a little laugh and lied down just a few inches away from Dean. She couldn't touch him, but just feeling him right next to her was enough for the young woman to turn her back at him. She couldn't let him see her blushing face, especially when the only light in the room was on his nightstand. She felt his body also lying down, and took a deep breath to calm herself down. She just had to close her eyes to feel his hands on her waist, his lips against hers…

"Hey Frenchy?"

She almost jumped, terrified that she could've thought out loud. "Yeah?" She hesitantly replied.

"I just…I'm glad you're here. I don't know how much of what you said back at Scotty's was real, but…you also mean a lot to me…"

Alina's heart was aching. She wanted to cry, but at the same time felt so empty she didn't even think she'd be able to do it. Hearing this should've made her feel happy, but she was devastated.

She took a moment to pull herself together, and quickly rolled on the side to wrap her arms around Dean, letting her head rest against his chest. She noticed how that gesture had completely taken aback her friend, yet she couldn't let go of him, because that was her way of saying that everything she'd said about their connection, was more than real.

And as she expected it, the moment Dean got her message, he embraced her back, holding her against him. And they both fell asleep in that position, feeling safe and free to be their true selves in each other's arms.

THE NEXT DAY

The two hunters were driving to the local community college to find the informations they needed, when Alina's phone started to ring. Without a surprise, it was Sam again.

"Hey Sammy." Alina picked up the phone the moment she read his name. She still felt bad about hanging up so abruptly the day before that. She noticed Dean taking quick glances at her. Obviously he wanted to hear his brother's voice too, but couldn't ask for the phone like a normal human being.

"Alina? How are you guys okay? What happened yesterday?" Of course he was worried for them. But couldn't he just ask to talk with his brother? The Winchesters' pride…

"Yeah we're fine. Long story short, I had to go save Dean from the Sheriff. And now that we've made everyone believe we were a couple, we're officially the new targets for this year's human sacrifice."

"You're…hold on, what? Human sacrifice? I think I'm gonna need the long version."

Alina smiled, suddenly having a genius idea. She couldn't stand that silent treatment between these two anymore. "Well…I could tell you everything, but Dean came up with this theory so…I guess he'll be better at explaining everything to you."

And before she could hear him object, she turned to a stunned Dean, handing him the small device with a big grin on her lips. She knew she'd already won this battle, so she simply waited for her annoyed friend to grab the phone and hesitantly put it against his ear. He even cleared his throat as if he was searching for the right words. "Hey Sam."

Alina let out a small chuckle and turned her attention back on the road in front of her. She was still listening to Dean, but she didn't want him to feel observed during his conversation with his brother.

Dean explained the recent events, not surprising Alina when he chose to keep their kiss a secret. He told Sam about the townspeople, the tattoo on the scarecrow's arm, and of course, their last encounter with the thing last night. He talked about his theory that the scarecrow might be a Pagan god, and Alina was relieved that they were finally talking with each other normally. Even if it was just about the case, that conversation was better than complete silence.

"We're actually on our way to a local community college. We've got an appointment with a professor. You know, since we don't have our trusty sidekick geek boy to do all the research."

"He just had to leave with the laptop…" Alina mumbled loud enough to be heard by the two brothers.

Sam laughed at their comments. "You know, if you're hinting you need my help, just ask."

"I'm not hinting anything. Actually, uh…I want you to know…I mean, don't think…"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, too."

Alina did her best not to look at Dean, but she felt bad for him because he didn't even know how to share his feelings with his brother. He had so many things to tell him, but none of them could find their way out. At least that's what Alina thought, until Dean kept going. "Sam. You were right. You gotta do your own thing. You gotta live your own life."

"Are you serious?"

"You've always known what you want. And you go after it. You stand up to dad. And you always have. Hell, I wish I…"

Sam couldn't see how vulnerable Dean looked right now, but Alina could feel it. She kept her eyes on the road, trying not to cry at the sound of her friend's breaking voice.

"Anyway…I admire that about you. I'm proud of you, Sammy."

Dean had always been able to compliment Alina without getting embarrassed by himself, but with Sam, that had to be a huge step for the brothers' relationship. Their friend was also proud of them both.

"I don't even know what to say."

"Say you'll take care of yourself."

Sam was shocked by his brother's words, but still replied. "I will."

"Call me when you find dad."

And Alina finally allowed herself to look at Dean when he hung up and gave back the phone. He was overwhelmed by all the emotions he couldn't let out after this conversation with his little brother, so his friend chose to stay silent. Sometimes she had to comfort him, right now, she knew her presence was enough and didn't want to disturb him.

Even if he was right about Sam having to live his own life, Alina would've wanted him to be selfish just for once, because she knew how incomplete Dean's life was without his brother by his side. Once again, he was putting Sam before anything else, and that wasn't fair. Dean Winchester deserved so much better than that…

LATER

Alina felt a sharp pain in the back of her head when she opened her eyes. It took a minute for her vision to adjust itself from the blur and the darkness surrounding her. The only light was coming from the little spaces between the wooden boards above her head, which was enough for her to distinguish a familiar figure, sitting on the opposite side of what seemed to be a cellar. "Dean?"

The young woman blinked a few times before sitting up, and crawling to stop in front of her friend's unconscious body. "Dean!" She grabbed his face in her hands and slowly shook him, being careful not to touch his bruised eye. If she wasn't wearing any makeup to hide her own bruise, they would look the same.

"Winchester!"

"What…"

Alina smiled when she saw him slightly moving and opening his eyes. "You're lucky I didn't slap you."

"Yeah I'm not into that kinda stuff, Frenchy." He also sat up, groaning at the pain in his face when he touched his injured eye. "What the hell happened?"

"The Sheriff's rifle happened to you, and that damn professor happened to me. I can't believe he's working with those fanatics."

They'd first thought everything was going well after the professor they were supposed to meet had given them so many informations about their case. They'd found a picture of a scarecrow in one of his books, representing the Vanir, Norse gods of protection and prosperity, keeping the local settlements safe from harm. Some villages built effigies of the Vanir in their fields, other villages practiced human sacrifice. One male, and one female. The two friends had even found a way to kill him, and were about to go torch the sacred tree giving him all its energy, but of course…they ended up trapped in a cellar.

Alina was furious, until she saw Dean wincing in pain once again. "You okay?" She put her hand on his cheek to get a better look at his eye. "I don't think my makeup will match your skin tone."

"Well real couples get matching tattoos, we've got matching bruises."

"Wait for the laughters when I'll tell people I got mine from your brother."

They both laughed at the absurd situation. Obviously they were about to become the next sacrifices, and this time it was for real. However, they stopped laughing when they heard the cellar door opening above them. They stood up, ready to defend themselves, but they didn't expect to see a crying Emily being held by her uncle and aunt.

"Aunt Stacy. Uncle Harley, please." They brought her down the stairs, next to the hunters, and went back upstairs without a word.

"Hey hold on!" Alina stopped them before they could close the door. "You need a man and a woman, right? You already got us, why is she here?"

"This is our last chance to prove our devotion. For the common good, you're the sacrifice we're offering, she's the sacrifice we're making." And after saying those cruel words, the old woman shut the cellar door, leaving her niece and the hunters in the dark.

LATER

Dean and Alina had explained everything to Emily, even more worried about the situation now that another life was on the line. After Dean had unsuccessfully tried to open the cellar door by force, they'd questioned the terrified girl about the tree they were looking for. Once they'd told her about an old tree, treated with respect by the locals like it was sacred, she instantly thought about the apple tree the immigrants had brought over with them. Also known as the 'First Tree'.

And that's the moment Stacy, Harley, Scotty and the Sheriff all came back for them. They had guns, and although the two friends were more than able to disarm them, they also had to protect Emily now. So they were forced to follow the group, getting tied to three adjacent trees.

"How many people have you killed, Sheriff?" Dean asked the guilty man. "How much blood is on your hands?"

"We don't kill them."

"No, but you sure cover up after. I mean, how many cars have you hidden, clothes have you buried?"

Alina scoffed in disgust. "You think you're blessed, but you're actually the curse if you're still able to sleep at night."

None of them cared about what the hunters had to say. The Sheriff simply walked away, while Emily was still trying to talk with the people she thought were her family. "Uncle Harley, please."

"I am so sorry, Em." For a moment there, Alina almost felt some guilt coming from him, but when his wife came in front of him, the young woman was back to the disgust part.

"Try to understand. It's our responsibility. And there's just no other choice. There's nobody else but you."

"I'm your family." Emily was crying, and Alina was furious.

"Sweetheart, that's what sacrifice means. Giving up something you love for the greater good. The town needs to be safe. The good of the many outweighs the good of the one."

Everyone turned to Alina when the hunter suddenly bursted out laughing. She wasn't trying to be discreet, because she wanted to save Emily from more of her aunt's bullshit.

Harley was the first one to angrily walk towards her. "You think this is funny?!"

"Yeah. You guys are the biggest joke of the year." Alina kept laughing between each sentences. "It's a good thing you're so devoted to your little friend. Maybe you should start praying for him to shorten your suffering, because the moment we get out of here, you're all gonna die with your precious little town."

Scotty and the Sheriff had to stop Harley from trying to hurt her, but they weren't fast enough to stop Stacy when she approached the hunter to slap her in the face. "Insolent girl."

Alina rolled her eyes at the woman, since the weak slap was nothing compared to all the things she'd already endured. The four elders then started to walk away from their victims.

"Hope your apple pie is freaking worth it!" Dean yelled at them while they could still hear him. And he made Alina laugh again.

"That was a good one, Winchester."

"Thanks, Frenchy. Loved your threatening speech too."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah that was hot."

Alina smiled at that. "I was trying to seduce Scotty. Guess it didn't work."

"Guys?" Emily finally stopped them, too worried about the situation to care about not interrupting them anymore. "So, what's the plan?"

"I'm working on it."

Alina immediately turned her head towards Dean when she heard him say those words, and this time she tried not to laugh when she saw the look on his face. She didn't want to worry Emily, but…

LATER

"You don't have a plan, do you?" Emily had to face the truth now that the night had fallen.

"I'm working on it." Dean repeated slightly panicked. He then turned to his friend, who didn't seem worried at all about being tied to a tree near the killing scarecrow. "What about you, Frenchy?"

"I'm waiting."

"For what?"

"I don't know."

Dean waited a moment for the end of her answer, but that was it. His friend was simply sitting against the tree with her eyes closed like she didn't care about the current danger. "You don't know?! That thing's about to wake up, Alina!"

"No shit Sherlock?!" She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I don't know what I'm waiting for, I just know something's coming!"

"Yeah! Our deaths!"

They both sighed in exasperation before Dean turned back to Emily. "Can you see?"

"What?"

"Is he moving yet?"

"I can't see…Oh my God."

Alina frowned and tried to see what the girl was so afraid of. Was the scarecrow coming? Why did she feel so relaxed and safe if that was the case?

"Oh my God!" Emily yelled again in terror.

Dean was desperately trying to untie his ropes to defend the girls from the scarecrow, refusing to let anything happen to Alina when he'd told his dad he would protect her. He couldn't let her die. He couldn't…

"Dean?"

The two hunters instantly looked in the direction of the familiar voice, overjoyed to see Sam coming out from behind the trees.

"Sam!" Now Alina knew why she wasn't afraid. She'd felt him coming to save them.

"Oh, I take everything back I said. I'm so happy to see you."

Sam began untying Dean from the tree.

"How'd you get here?" The eldest questioned his brother, curious to know how he'd been so fast.

"I, uh…I stole a car."

"Haha! That's my boy!" Dean laughed, quickly joined by Alina. "And keep an eye on that scarecrow. He could come alive any minute."

"What scarecrow?"

Dean finally got up to see the scarecrow's post empty. He shared a nervous look with his brother that their friend didn't like at all. "Tell me you can see him." The feeling of security was starting to fade away, especially when the boys didn't reply. Dean went to help Emily while Sam was taking care of Alina's ropes.

Even though the situation was more than stressful, the young woman couldn't help but smile at his presence. Until…

"Why didn't you use your dagger?"

She wasn't expecting that so soon. Of course she'd thought about it the moment she'd seen the ropes. But that was completely useless.

"I don't have it."

"They took it from you?"

"No I left it in my bag." She ignored the short pause Sam took in his urgent job, relieved to feel the ropes falling to the ground quickly after that.

"How did you left it in your bag?" Sam insisted while helping her get back up. "You always put it in your shoe when you go somewhere."

She couldn't tell him that working alone with Dean had been so distracting. Sleeping in his arms, and having to dream about that damn kiss over and over again, had made it difficult for her to focus on her job when she'd woke up this morning. And yes, maybe if Sam had been here, she wouldn't have been so obsessed about her attitude with Dean, and she probably would've taken that dagger like she usually did.

But no, she couldn't tell him that. So she just shrugged. "I guess I suck at my job when you're not here, Sammy."

Of course he wasn't convinced by that reply, but he hugged her anyway when she wrapped her arms around him enthusiastically. "Welcome back."

Dean interrupted them before he could thank her. "Come on guys! Let's shag ass before Leather Face finds us!"

Sam was completely lost, so they tried to fill him in while running throughout the dark orchard. The youngest Winchester wanted to find that tree and burn it now, but his brother and his friend just wanted to get out of that place before getting caught by the scarecrow. They were planning on coming back in the morning to put an end to this, but as they reached a clearing, they weren't surprised to find the elders and a few other townspeople waiting for them. Blocking them in all directions.

"That's just great…" Alina sighed, still panting from their little run.

"Please. Let us go." Emily begged her uncle, who seemed more resigned than earlier to let his niece die.

"It'll be over quickly, I promise."

"Please…"

"Emily, you have to let him take you. You have to…" All of a sudden, the scarecrow appeared behind the old couple and sticked his sickle through Harley's stomach, making him gasp in pain while his wife and niece were screaming.

Alina jumped in front of Emily to block her vision and pushed her towards Dean. The terrified girl ran into the hunter's arms while Sam and Alina were now standing in front of them, watching her uncle and aunt being dragged away by the scarecrow. And of course, the rest of the townspeople ran away in fear when they saw what was happening.

"Come on." Dean reacted quickly. "Let's go." And once again, the four of them started running, not stopping until a noise made them turn around.

The silence of the night was the only confirmation they got that the scarecrow and its victims were gone. This year's cycle was complete.

THE NEXT MORNING

After an agitated night, the group had eventually found the sacred tree, also marked with the previous victim's tattoo design. The hunters had poured gasoline on it, and lighten up a long branch, but Emily was the one to set the tree on fire. She hadn't even hesitated to sign the town's death sentence, and none of them could blame her.

After that, the hunters had brought her to the nearest bus station, watching her get on a bus to Boston. She was ready to leave the recent events in her past. Dean and Alina waved to her when she smiled at them one last time, then watched the bus drive away with Sam next to them. "Think she's gonna be alright?" He asked the other two.

"I hope so." Dean replied.

"She loved them. She'll need time to trust someone else after what they did to her."

Alina felt bad the girl, but at least she was alive.

"And the rest of the townspeople, they'll just get away with it?"

Dean and Alina shared the same knowing look.

"Well, what'll happen to the town will have to be punishment enough." Dean told his brother.

"It's a shame. I think I was really starting to get along with Scotty."

Dean laughed and gently pushed her on the side. He was glad she was alright. And since she hadn't found time to cover her bruise this morning, they really were matching now. She still looked beautiful, and he still looked handsome, but neither of them could admit it. Especially not with Sam around.

"So…" Dean turned to his brother while they were walking to the Impala. "Can I drop you off somewhere?"

Alina sadly smiled but didn't say anything. She'd almost forgot about that.

"No, I think you're stuck with me."

The girl's face lighted up when they stopped at the car to face the youngest Winchester in astonishment.

"For real?" Alina asked, convinced she'd misunderstood. But when her friend simply smiled and nodded, she felt like a huge weight had been taken out of her shoulders.

"What made you change your mind?" Dean was as happy as she was, but of course he couldn't show it. Classic Winchester.

"I didn't. I still wanna find dad. And you're still a pain in the ass."

Dean nodded at that, but frowned when Alina nodded too, making the girl stop and look away innocently.

Sam scoffed at them and resumed, looking straight in his brother's eyes. "But, Jess and mom…they're both gone. Dad is God knows where. You and me. We're all that's left. So, if we're gonna see this through, we're gonna do it together."

Alina loved the way he'd chose not to mention her in his explanation. He was directly speaking to Dean, and that was the sweetest thing she'd witnessed between them in a long time. She was so proud of them, she had to fight the urge to hug them both.

However, Dean had to ruin everything when he put his hand on Sam's shoulder. "Hold me, Sam. That was beautiful."

Sam hit his hand away, and they all laughed even if Alina would've loved to see the brothers hug. Maybe that was still too much to ask. At least they weren't fighting anymore. Well…

"You should be kissing my ass, you were dead meat, dude."

"Yeah, right. I had a plan, I'd have gotten out."

Alina rolled her eyes, making fun of him until Sam's attention went to her. "I still don't get it. You always carry that dagger, it's like you don't even know how to walk if you don't have it in your shoe."

His friend gave him a death stare, not ready to talk about that now. "I got distracted, it happens. Get over it, Sammy." Her hand was already on the car door handle, when he added something she definitely wasn't expecting to hear.

"Distracted? Was it because I was gone, or because of the…'pretending to be a couple' thing?"

Dean and Alina looked at each other almost instantly, and since the embarrassment was too hard to handle, quickly looked back at Sam. They acted like they were offended by his question, when they both knew he was completely right.

"What are you talking about, Sammy?" Dean scolded him like a child. "We're professionals!"

"Yeah!" Alina agreed, unconvinced by her own lie. "It's not like we had a choice, we were trying to save lives!"

Sam didn't even try to hide his satisfied grin when he opened the passenger's door. "Right. If you say so…"

While he was already on his seat, his brother and his best friend didn't move for a while, standing on each side of the car like they were frozen in time. Was it possible that…no. It wasn't. Dean eventually cleared his throat after a few seconds, opening his door with his usual confidence. "Move your ass, Frenchy."

Alina also tried to hide behind her annoyed personality. "Don't give me orders, Winchester."

And they both got in the car, ignoring Sam's little laugh when they drove away from this new solved case. Alina was really glad to have her best friend back, but she felt so embarrassed because of him, she could've pushed him out of the car to get that stupid grin off his face.

That eventually made her smile too.

That car and these boys were her home now. And it just felt good to get back home.

Okay, okay, okay…I just finished writing 'Faith' and…you're gonna love it! I know I say that every time, and that's probably my biased opinion, but…YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!

I mean…you've been waiting for it…

Okay that's all I'm gonna say!

Can't wait to see you guys in episode 12! Have a good day/night!