Nightmares...

Warmth spread out gently over a sleeping form as the early light of dawn broke through an open window. Streams of soft gold tingled the exposed flesh of her face as a shape slipped into her room unannounced. Her body shifted in her large bed, sheets tangled, the dark comforter dangling off the end of the bed. Cat was awake, she just didn’t want to succumb to the fact that it was already day light. She just wanted to lay there and pretend that she was a bear, hibernating.



When the mattress sank to her left she let out a groan into the pillow her face was smashed against and forced herself to roll over onto her back.



“Aiden, time to get up.” A calm male voice encouraged softly as a cold nose nuzzled the skin of her right arm. “No wastin’ day light. Besides, you know if I could, I’d make the coffee myself.”



“Why did you have to be a corporal? Why couldn’t you just be Dwayne, huh Hicks?” Cat grumbled and looked at the smiling wolf with slitted eyes. She sighed, “alright, I’m up…I’m up.” Sat up and slid off the bed. Still growling at the early hour she flipped her head forward, gathered her long untamed locks in her hands and managed to slip it into a messy bun on the top of her head from the rubber band she put on her wrist the night before.



“Is anyone else up?” She asked while dragging herself to her open door and stepped out into the hallway, Hicks leading the way.



“Riddick’s passed out on the couch, the rest of the pack are outside and I believe Sam’s up.” The large wolf replied as they went to walk toward the stairs when Sam’s door opened…revealing an equally tired looking and still shirtless Sam.



It took Sam a moment to remember that the man’s voice he heard was coming from the wolf. “Morning…” He said in a groggy voice and scratched his head, his temples pounding furiously from the very slight hangover settling over his body.



“Morning sunshine.” Cat murmured with a slight smile on her lips, already waking up. “Sleep okay?”



“If you consider watching over your shit faced brother until maybe four hours ago, then…yea I slept okay.” Sam chimed in a scratchy voice, finding his mouth very dry.



Cat’s eyes widened at Sam’s tone of voice. Someone’s not a morning person...and if he keeps walking around lookin’ all vulnerable and sexy like that. I’m gonna be in trouble…she thought to herself and heard Hicks chuckle in his large fuzzy chest at her inner comment. She cleared her throat and ignored the wolf’s knowing glare. “I take it you’ve never had a hangover?”



He shook his head and ran a hand through his messy loose brown hair. “Oh no, I’ve had a hangover before…and this is nowhere near as bad. Let’s just say I’m not complaining.”



She chuckled at the statement, “so where’s Dean? Passed out in your room?”



“Nope, hauled him into his room right before he completely lost consciousness.” Sam replied as Cat inched over to Dean’s room, opened the door and watched as a look of complete shock took over her face. “What’s wrong?”



Cat couldn’t say anything…and she didn’t need to when Sam looked over her shoulder to see Dean completely sprawled out on his stomach…buck ass naked. “Wow…” She blurted out in amazement at the sight she was seeing and giggled when Sam cleared his throat, took the doorknob in his big hand and proceeded to close the door. “Should I even ask how he got like that?”



Sam had a very disturbed look on his face; one where every muscle was scrunched up around his nose like a pissed off ferret. He almost looked nauseous. “He was dressed when I put him on his bed…”



“Okay, I can see that you’re going to need years of therapy after this,” Cat giggled, took Sam’s arm and led him toward the stairs. “So I’ll make some coffee and breakfast. How does bacon and eggs sound?”



A boyish smile fell over Sam’s face as they descended the stairs to the main level. “Even though I’m a little sick to my stomach, Dean would smack me upside the head if I passed up the chance for a good cup of coffee and a home cooked meal.”



“Well, the secret to killing a hangover like yours…” She trailed off as they walked into the kitchen and he leaned against the kitchen counter as she walked over to the fridge. “…is a hearty breakfast.”



* * An Hour Later * *



Cat had just finished making a large batch of scrambled eggs, a full thing of bacon, some toast and a very strong pot of coffee. They both sat at the table directly to the big kitchen’s right (if you were standing outside and looking in from the patio) and literally inhaled their food as though they hadn’t eaten in over a month. After a few minutes, both plates empty, they finally relaxed and started on their coffee .



“You can stop repeating yourself now Sam.” Cat said with a soft blush to her cheeks as she took another drink from her cup and swallowed another mouthful of the rich, strong coffee and set the cup back down on the table, her fingers tapping the smooth surface.



“I can’t help it. That was just the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten.” He explained with a bright smile on his face, obviously feeling ten times better then he did when he first woke up that morning. “Trust me when I say that if Dean had been up for this, he would have been moaning and said something along the lines that it was better then sex.”



“I smell food…” Came a grumbling voice from the stairs as Dean trotted over in only a pair of navy blue boxers…that happened to be inside out.



“Dean?” Sam was extremely shocked to see his brother walking around after what he put him through last night. “Dude….why aren’t you sleeping?”



Dean stopped and pulled up a chair across the table from Cat, Sam sitting to her left, his back to the kitchen. “I was woken up by the smell of bacon and coffee.”



Cat chuckled and got up, went into the kitchen and returned with a new plate filled with scrambled eggs, toast and at least five pieces of bacon; a fork lying in a small spot next to them so she could set the cup of black coffee in front of him. “Here you go babe, eat up.” She said with a smile and made her way back to her seat and sat back down.



Dean watched her walk away with a hint of amazement and then looked to the food for a few seconds, brows furrowed as he brought his eyes to the coffee, blinked and finally looked over at Cat with a very inquisitive look in his eyes. “Am I dreaming?”



Sam laughed and shook his head. “No man, you’re awake.” He couldn’t contain the smile as he took another sip of his coffee.



Dean licked his lips and picked up his fork. Eyeing the delicious smelling food in front of him he got a large portion of eggs on his fork, sniffed it and then stuck it in his mouth. His eyes immediately rolled back as he let out a moan while savoring the intoxicating taste of the eggs. “God…” He groaned and bit off a piece of bacon which caused his eyes to roll back a second time, another much loader moan traveling up from his bare chest. “Oh muh gawd…” Dean exclaimed in ecstasy, his mouth full of food, puffing his cheeks in a comical expression.



“Wow you weren’t kidding.” Cat chimed under her breath to Sam and they both let out a shared burst of soft laughter. “You two act like you’ve never had a home cooked meal before.”



Dean took a drink from his black coffee, swallowing everything down in one gulp before shoveling another large portion of eggs into his mouth. “Baby, we’ve had breakfast before…” He said while munching on the eggs and ate the rest of the first piece of bacon he’d started on. “This right here, isn’t breakfast. This is sex reincarnated into food.”



“You know…I’m actually still surprised you’re up and eating right now.” Sam murmured thoughtfully while a calculating emotion spread through his eyes. “You should be suffering one hell of a hang over.”



Dean just finished swallowing another mouthful of food, the cup to his lips in mid drink when he just paused. “Huh…” He said and finally took a drink, enjoying the heat going down his throat. “I drank enough to be in a coma, didn’t I?”



Cat remained completely silent as she stood up in a very fluid motion, grabbed her plate and crept back into the kitchen placing the dish into the sink, hoping they wouldn’t put her on the spot.



“You were crying by the time I put you to bed Dean.” Sam answered in a flat tone and watched Dean’s brows shoot up.



“No I didn’t.” He spat in defense and began to finish off his food.



Sam sighed, “yes Dean, you did.”



Dean pointed his fork at Sam while his cheeks were filled with egg. “I didn’t cry Sammy, so drop it.” He knew Sam was right, but he wasn’t going to admit it. Especially since he blacked out right after Sam had dragged him upstairs the night before. “Yes I was wasted and I should be wanting nothing to do with food, but when I woke up all I could think about was the delicious aroma comin’ from downstairs.”



Cat slipped out onto the patio with her coffee in complete silence when the boys started to argue over the fact that Dean had gone emotional before he passed out. Sneaking to the table, she snatched up a cigarette, lit it and walked out onto the grass, toward the same tree she had hid at not more then only a few hours ago. Lea and Angel greeted her with their tails wagging wildly back and forth and followed her to the tree, where she sat down and tried to avoid the aftermath of Sam and Dean bitching at each other.



Sam noticed Cat’s absence and took it as an opportunity to talk. “Don’t you find it strange that we’re both completely healthy?”



Dean wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and drank down the rest of his coffee. “You sayin’ Cat’s taken away both our hangovers?” He paused with a smirk, “…‘cuz if that’s true, you better marry that woman.”



“Dean would you stop joking around and think about it for a minute?” Sam pleaded and glared at his smart ass of an older brother.



Dean sighed, moved his plate to the side and let his hands rest on the table. “Sammy look, the woman just made a breakfast fit for the gods and knows how to make one hell of a cup of coffee. She’s only had us with her for a day and has been beyond gracious.” Dean’s face became serious when he added in a low voice, “I wasn’t kidding about her Sam. If you don’t snatch her up… I will.”



Conflicted, Sam got to his feet, empty plate in hand and walked over to the kitchen sink. “Amazing.” He growled with a dry smirk and placed his hands, shoulder length a part on the edge of the counter. “Not more then a few hours ago Dean, you didn’t even want to be here and now you’re acting like you’ve been on her side from the beginning.”



“Well excuse me for enjoying the fact that I’m not spewing my guts out to the porcelain god! You think I like waking up feeling like shit? Incase you forget Sammy, I had to take of your sorry ass not too long ago.”



“Bullshit Dean!” Sam barked in a raised voice and dropped his hands to his sides. “Take care of me? You tried to get me to throw up!”



“Would you two shut the fuck up.” A deep growl caught both brothers off guard. “You’re actin’ like a bunch of fuckin’ teenagers fighting over the car radio.” The black wolf emerged into the kitchen and glared at Sam and Dean with his cold eyes. “Cat has the ability to heal people, that’s why you feel better. So fuckin’ drop it already.” Riddick snarled and watched the anger slither through their auras.



Dean stood up, grabbed his plate and took it to the kitchen sink before muttering, “he started it.”



“God would you get over yourself!” Sam bellowed and charged out of the kitchen, stomped up every step on the staircase and vanished into his room with an ominous crack of his door slamming back into the frame.



“Damn, a little touchy are we?” Dean chimed and walked over to the patio, “someone’s PMSing.”



Riddick let out an annoyed growl, “fuckin’ kids.” And left the room to find a place to curl up, leaving Dean to his own devices.



Well while Sam upstairs feelin’ sorry for himself I’m gonna go see how Cat’s doing. He thought with a devious smile playing on his lips and stepped out onto the patio.



Sunshine broke in small streams through the morning marine layer as a cool breeze licked Dean’s naked flesh, causing his skin to erupt in goose bumps. Rubbing his arms he crossed the grass toward the figure sitting next to a large oak tree; the roots seemed to have taken on a life of their own as they webbed over each other like monstrous veins of a sleeping beast hiding just beneath the earth. He noticed the way Lea’s fluffy head was lying on Cat’s lap and perked up when he approached.



“Just the woman I was looking for.” Dean said in a seductive purr of a voice and gave a saucy grin when she met his eyes. “You don’t mind if I park myself here, do you?” He added and sat directly to her left, his bare arm pressing gently against the soft material of her shirt sleeve. “Now I gotta say, you really know the way to man’s heart.”



“Through his stomach, right?” Cat replied as Lea got up, walked over to Dean and flopped down onto the ground, dropping her head onto his lap in the process.



“Uh…” He looked inquisitively at the off white wolf with her big brown eyes, shrugged and started to pet her as he brought his attention back to Cat. “Bingo. When a woman can cook like that, she’s definitely girlfriend material.”



Hearing this, Cat turned her body so that she was facing him. “You hittin’ on me Winchester?” She asked with a hint of playful accusation in her soothing voice.



“Absolutely.” Dean grinned and noticed how her hair shimmered like a bundle of fire on the back of her head. “Alright Cat, you gotta be straight with me.”



“About what?” She asked as a crease formed in her forehead.



“That hair of yours can’t be natural.” Dean exclaimed, reached out and gently pushed a few loose strands back behind her left ear. “It’s just too damn red.”



“It’s naturally brown… Wait, you sayin’ you don’t like red heads?” Cat retorted and watched as he dropped his hand in defeat.



“That ain’t what I’m saying…damn it woman, why you gotta do that?” Dean sighed, his eyes serious.



“What? I was just bein’ playful.” She shrugged with a smirk dancing on her full lips.



“I know, but do you ya always gotta have a comeback?”



Cat narrowed her eyes and grew a devious grin. “Why? Does it bother you that I’m obviously more of a smart ass then you?”



An arrogant grin devoured Dean’s devilishly handsome features and chimed. “No, because I’m the reigning champ.”



“Aw…I see. So now you fully admit to being a smart ass?” Cat shot back quickly and watched the muscles in his jaw twitch.



“That’s it!” He announced, gently moved Lea from his lap and leapt up, tackling Cat to the ground. This action knocked over her cup of coffee but he was too busy pinning the fiery beauty beneath him. “Try and comment your way out of this.” Dean announced in an arrogant voice and started tickling her sides, causing her to buck with laughter.



“Dean you bastard!” Cat struggled between giggles and tried to wiggle her way out of his assault but found that to be a lost cause. “Stop it damn it!”



“No.” He sneered, thoroughly enjoying the power he had over her. “Say that magic words and I will.”



“Never!” Cat cried defiantly against the chorus of giggles rising through her system as the torment only became torture. “Stop Dean, I mean it!”



He shook his head. “Say please.” Dean laughed and watched her face turn a bright shade of crimson as her breathing started to become erratic. “Say please before you get brain damage from the lack of oxygen.”



Finding no other escape she forced out, “please stop Dean.” Her laughter pitched, desperate for air when he suddenly let up and just stayed there above her, looking into her defeated face.



“See?” Dean mused with a playful smile on his lips and watched her give him a dirty look. “That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”



Cat rolled her eyes and let out a huff as she studied his face… And against her own will, her eyes slid their way over the lines of his face, down his smirking full lips and strong jaw line, passed his neck and shoulders only to end up gliding over the majesty of his toned chest and stomach. Being an analytical creature, she let herself take in his beauty. She marveled at how his skin appeared soft and smooth within the intricate lines of toned muscles that danced just beneath his slightly tanned flesh. Cat made a mental note at the way the brothers differed physically. Dean obviously had a little more weight to his frame; being older and having possibly a different metabolism then his taller, leaner younger brother Sam. Cat remembered the way Sam’s upper body had a leaner muscle structure then Dean. Both of them had great asses and delectable body definition.



When the thought finally occurred to her that she had been basically drinking up the vision of a nearly naked Dean above her, she met his gaze with the realization and turned an even brighter shade of red when he had the cockiest, sexiest knowing smirk pulling at his full, pouty lips.



“Like what you see Princess?” He purred in a voice so low and seductive, it could easily have been against the law in some states for the effect it had on a woman’s body.



Cat choked on her words, cleared her throat and gently pushed on his right arm so she could roll over and sit up, facing away from his confused eyes. Her heart thundering, skin tingling in places it shouldn’t have nerve endings, she tried to right herself from the response of her stupid female body to the way he’d been looking down at her like a predator toying with its prey. There was a part of her that liked the way he flirted with her…but then another, much darker part of herself scowled at her for being so naive.



Inwardly, she was torn between two halves; love thyself unconditionally, for that’s all you’ll ever have. While the other side was an entity made of the venom of liars, chastising and belittling her that no man like Dean or Sam, even in their right mind would want to have anything to do with such a pathetic, fat, emotionally fucked up young woman.



Cat knew she didn’t have one of those perfect bodies like in the movies, TV, or magazines. Hell she was far from weighing about a buck twenty. One reason she was thicker in body mass, was not only because genetically she was built like a brick shit house, but…in truth it was a subconscious defense against predators. There was a deep lingering darkness of when she had been submitted to being violated when she was still pure, which eventually led to years of distrust of men. That only added to the list of things she hated about the current society and their polluted, delusional, distorted view of what women should look like. Cat, since the day she came to live with Lewis, had rebelled against the brainwashing antics of a twisted society and stayed true to herself. A young woman of little maintenance, she barely ever wore a stitch of makeup, left her hair wild and untamed, usually pulling it up out of her face. She wore what she wanted to wear for comfort, rather then to impress others. She lived to survive, never wishing she could be utterly oblivious to the demons lingering just outside the protected gates of her property.



The dark side of her decided to wriggle its way from its cage and started to whisper to her. The only reason Sam kissed you last night was because he was intoxicated. Otherwise he wouldn’t give two shits about you. And Dean, he’s always on the hunt for easy pussy. You know he has high standards when it comes to women, but you just happen to be in the right place, at the right time. You’re the nearest thing to female and all he wants is to get laid.



Cat visibly looked ill and unknowingly started to rock back and forth with her eyes clenched shut. Dean didn’t know what to do, hell he thought he was finally getting on her good side! If anything he was trying to make amends for being such an asshole when they first met…and lets not forget, that Mr. Bad Ass himself had gotten a soft spot for the quick witted beauty. And yea, she was incredibly beautiful. A very welcomed change to all those stick figures he’d bag for a night of sex, which really wasn’t even worth it the next day. Dean didn’t have a problem with skinny chicks, he loved all women. It’s just the real thin ones that were next to nothin’ never really gave him any real stimulation, other then the sexual kind.



Now with Cat, she had a real feminine look to her frame; soft, ivory skin with an olive complexion, an old fashioned hourglass figure with an incredible ass that he’d found himself taking note of, as well as his little brother…even though Sam would never admit to it. She had a doll like face, big, cat like eyes with a small upturned nose and full, heart shaped lips. She had the likeness of Angelina Jolie in features and attitude, with the quirky, vulnerable innocence of Drew Barrymore. She also had a very sexy voice, especially when she teased him. The kind of a voice a man would pay money to listen to for hours. Put that next to her intelligence and personality…she was the perfect package.



Dean didn’t see anything wrong with the fact that she had a little extra meat on her. It meant that she was not only healthy, but she was built to survive and probably packed one hell of a punch when she was pissed. He liked and really admired that in a woman. He could tell she had the ability to defend herself and could probably take down a man at least two times her size without a problem.



Pulling himself out his thoughts, he awkwardly placed his hand on her back. Afraid that she would just jerk away…but when she didn’t, he let his palm slowly trail up and down, trying to console her. “Easy babe, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Dean said in a very careful, soft tone and scooted a bit closer to her.



Cat shook her head, pulling herself out of her mental block and just looked forward, away from him. “I must seem like a real head case to you…” She said in a whisper of dark sarcasm, her voice holding a tone that bled with self hatred.



That really grossed Dean out. He’d never heard such self loathing in a woman’s voice before…it’s almost like she hated the very essence of who she was. “You’re on helluva trip I’ll give ya that, but it doesn’t make me think any less of you.” He replied with emotional strain in his words, not being good at showing compassion. He left all that warm and fluffy crap to Sam. “Besides, I kinda like your crazy self.” He paused when she peeked over her shoulder at him, “you keep me on my toes.”



She could sense he was having trouble handling her dark mood. Cat knew that Dean was a very private man when it came to the things he was feeling inside…which, in a very big way, was exactly how she was. It was hard for him to show such a vulnerable part of himself, even when he was really trying to comfort someone. And Cat knew, that as hard as it was for him...he was trying his best to get her mood to lift.



“I appreciate it Dean…I really do, but you don’t have to be nice to me because you think you should.” Cat explained softly, her voice becoming no more then a weak whisper.



He gave her a curious look. “I’m not the kind of guy that spouts sugar coated bullshit just to make people feel better. If you haven’t already noticed, I say it like it is. Beating around the bush isn’t my style.”



Cat just nodded, unable to say anything else as Dean seemed to have trouble inwardly with what he was feeling. He swallowed, patted her on the back and stood up. “M’lady.” He chimed, the humor back in his voice as he offered her his hand.



She gave a small, almost helpless smile as she took his hand and stood. Cat was about to look for her cup when he bent over, scooped it off the ground and handed it to her. “Thanks…” She chuckled softly at the fact that he was grinning at her like a lovesick puppy. “Um Dean…you do know your boxers are inside out.”



Dean’s grin faded when he looked down and saw what she was talking about. “Yea well…” He brought his eyes back to hers, a sheepish grin playing on the corners of his mouth. “I make it look good.”



Cat just rolled her eyes with a shake of her head and laughed. “You’re such a dork.”



“So? At least this dork got you to smile again.” Dean quipped and gave her a slight nudge of his arm, enjoying the beautiful smile that caused her eyes to light up. “See? I’m just cool like that.”



“Again, major dork.” Cat retorted with a soft snort and started to walk back to the house, a smiling and nearly naked Dean along side.



* * * * *



Sam sat in his room, still fuming over the audacity of his brother. Arrogant bastard thought he was in the right…he always thinks he’s in the right! Even when he’s obviously wrong. Sam let out a growling huff at the thoughts in his mind and laid back on the mattress of the queen size bed, his hands cupping the back of his head as he just stared off into the ceiling.



It couldn’t have been more then maybe twenty minutes after he’d come upstairs when he heard a soft tapping on his door. Tilting his head to the right, he sat up…knowing that if it was Dean, he’d just walk in unannounced. “Come in.” He called out and watched the old door sway inward, Cat’s face peeking in cautiously before fully entering and closing the door behind her.



“Hey Sam…” She exclaimed in a careful voice and leaned against the door. “Riddick told me about you and Dean.”



Sam felt a little embarrassed about that whole thing and ran his hand through his hair in a nervous motion. “He did, did he?” He chimed in a boyishly guilty tone and looked to his feet. “Well…then I don’t blame you if you’re not too happy with me at the moment.”



A deep crease fell onto her brow as she shook her head at him. “Uh, no Sam, not even close.” Cat’s voice was firm, holding an air of authority as she crossed the room and sat to his left on the mattress, mimicking how his arms were resting on his thighs. “You’re an inquisitive person, hell I’d be worried too if I was suddenly right as rain when I should be feeling like the walking dead.”



“So…you’re not mad at me?” He asked and gave her a quick glance before looking back to the floor, finding it suddenly very fascinating.



She was wearing a gentle smile at how careful he was being with his feelings. It was just too damned adorable. “Not at all.” Cat replied and patted his thigh before bringing it back to her lap, restraining herself from being too touchy feely. It made her very uncomfortable…human touch. The only reason she allowed it the night before was because of the whiskey slithering like liquid courage through her blood.



Sam picked up on it and slowly turned his head to look at her. “I know it’s a hard subject for you…but, what happened to Robert? You mentioned he was…”



Cat cut him off, snapping without meaning to. “He was murdered.” She felt her chest tighten and closed her eyes when old memories began to surface. “We met through Lewis, he was another Hunter. He treated me like a person and we fell in love and all that mushy crap. It was our one year anniversary so we went out to go clubbin’ in Hollywood to celebrate. That night he asked me to marry him. We went to leave when a fight broke out on the street and he grabbed me to push me in the other direction when a shot went off and a stray bullet imbedded itself in his back…” Cat’s voice broke as she got up, walked over to the window and looked out into her backyard. She had to take a moment to compose herself as she struggled to speak. “…it went right into his heart. I had to watch helplessly as he bled to death.”



Sam’s face was a portrait of shock, which reflected on Dean’s face as he silently slipped into the room after overhearing Cat’s accounts of her late fiancé. They shared a knowing look of understanding, especially Sam, as Cat sighed and kept her back turned.



“He was the first guy I ever really trusted, and the last man I had to bury. After that I closed myself off.” She gave a shrug and turned around to see both brothers standing across from her, with their hearts showing through their eyes. “I had my share of one night stands before I met him. They were always empty, as though I was trying to feel something when I felt so empty inside. But Robert changed all that. Made me experience what real love is like.” Her voice began to become bitter as a sad smile adorned her strained features.



The brothers didn’t know what to say as she wiped her eyes, walked across the room and went out into the hallway. “I’ll be in the shower.” She stated behind her shoulder in a distant voice and vanished into her bedroom.



Dean looked out into the hallway before walking back into the room. “Jesus…no wonder she’s so screwed up.”



“No kidding.” Sam replied in a quiet voice and went to his duffle bag to get out a fresh change of clothes. He pulled out a light blue shirt and faded blue jeans, placed them on the bed and paused. “She’s hurting a lot more then I realized.” He thought aloud and looked to Dean. “We’ve got to help her.”



“How?” Dean asked at a complete loss as to what they got themselves into. “That’s a lifetime of pain and we’ve just known her for a day. Plus there’s still a fuckin’ Siren creature out there we’ve got to track down.”



“You think that hasn’t crossed my mind?” Sam countered in a controlled tone, not wanting Cat to over hear.



“I know it has Sammy.” Dean sighed, put a hand to his forehead and gently pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. “If we do this Sam, we can’t half ass it.” He muttered while trying to relieve the pressure building in his head, “and this ain’t gonna be easy.”



Sam noted the strangled tone of his big brother as he spoke. “I wouldn’t have brought it up if I didn’t consider the possible repercussions. Dean she needs us, whether she’ll ever let herself admit that or not.”



Dean dropped his hand and put his hands on his hips, a look of deep concentration tensing his features. “You know this means we’re gonna be here a while.”



“Yes and you know I’m willing to take as much time as she needs. But I can’t do it by myself… I need you with me on this Dean.” Sam said, his eyes pleading, hopeful that Dean would see how much this meant to him.



“Aw damn it Sam!” Dean groaned and dropped his hands to his sides, a slight look of disgust on his face. “Don’t look at me like that.”



Sam didn’t ease up, in fact he kept the broken heart look on as a way to wear his brother down. “Don’t leave me hangin’ Dean.”



“Yea yea, fine! I wasn’t gonna say otherwise…so just drop that damn look already…” Dean scoffed and waved his hand at Sam.



Sam’s face started to light up. “You mean it?”



Dean gave his brother a look. “Yes, you thick headed bastard.” He retorted with a sarcastic edge to his voice and let out a whoosh of air when Sam wrapped his arms around him in a big bear hug. “Okay Sam, I’d like to breathe now.” He spat in a wheeze at the way Sam nearly cut off his air supply.



“Thanks Dean.” Sam said with a warm smile and let his big brother go.



“Yea whatever.” Dean chimed in an annoyed tone, even though secretly…he was glad they were both in this together. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend his time in sunny southern California… Nothing beats bringing a broken woman back to life.



“I feel dirty…I think I need a shower so I can wash all these warm and fuzzy feelings from my body.” Dean said in a mocking tone of voice and shivered before leaving Sam’s room to go take a shower in the downstairs bathroom.



Sam just laughed and shook his head. “Dork.” He chimed to himself and headed to his bathroom to do the same.



* * * * *



Cat placed both hands flat against the cool tiles of the shower wall and sighed as the burning water cleansed the emotions from her body. In her silent contemplation she stared at the drain and became hypnotized by the way the water seemed to swirl off into an eternity. She had already gone through the cleaning process and was now just letting the hot water ease the stress in her tense form.



Having stayed long enough to get her head together she turned off the water and stepped out, wrapped a huge fluffy navy blue towel around herself and padded back into her bedroom. Going through a set routine she started to dry off when she felt a presence in the room…and it wasn’t her fuzzy companions. Instinctively unnerved by the chill running the length of her spine, she quickly finished up and pulled on a pair of hip hugging faded black jeans, her favorite royal purple bra and went to top it off with a form fitting black, long sleeved shirt with the words Bad Kitty written across the front in red writing when she went completely rigid.



A very low, almost inaudible whisper pulsed just behind her ears, causing the fine hairs on the back of her neck to stand up in unison. Forcing herself to choke back the rising fear in her throat, Cat closed her eyes, took a slow intake of air and held it as she listened for any movement. A moment paused when she felt the air shift in front of her face and her eyes snapped open. Her mouth opened to scream but no sound followed as a huge, clawed hand appeared out of virtually no where and took a swipe at her. Cat responded by jumping back, but not fast enough as the curved talons met the flesh of her chest with a sickening rip, leaving four, five inch long, razor like slices of red in their wake.



She hit the floor with a soft thud and started to crawl back when a form started to pulse into being, right out of thin air. “No…” Cat murmured breathlessly as the blood from the fresh wounds began to drip down over her heaving breasts, soaking her purple bra black.



The pulsing black cloud started to edge toward her when a bolt of anger raged deep inside her being. GET OUT! She called out in her head with a voice so powerful, she almost didn’t recognize it as it bellowed from the depths of her mind. Suddenly there was an ominous electric snap in front of her and a gargled hiss of pain seemed to emit from the dark cloud, as though she had somehow mortally wounded it with the power of her mind.



She watched in utter amazement as the thing crackled as though it were on fire; it’s dying screams echoing into her mind when it suddenly imploded…leaving only the slight scent of sulfur in its wake as it vanished into thin air.



Getting onto her feet she gazed around the room with a dumfounded look plastered on her face. “How the fuck did it get in?” She said to herself and winced as the pain finally registered. “Aw god damn it…” Cat grumbled at the sight of the bloody claw mark staining her favorite bra. “Great…now I have to change.” She muttered in an annoyed grunt, stormed back into her bathroom, ripped off the bra and dropped it into the tub. The sound of water rushing into the drain seemed to drown out her thoughts as she made quick work of wiping the blood from her upper body, grimaced at the wounds on her flesh and finally placed a few large pieces of gauze over the torn skin.



Patched up and clean, she shut off the water in the bathtub, walked back over to her bed and put on another bra, followed with the top. Cat clenched her eyes shut and bit into her bottom lip as the pain slammed her senses at just the simple act of pulling the top over her head. Letting out a rush of air she pulled the shirt down and left her hair down to dry. Finished, she looked into the mirror of her adjoining bathroom from a distance, and sighed with relief that the gauze was nice and tight against her skin. If anyone were to look at her, they wouldn’t even know.



“Fucking shadow demons.” Cat grumbled under her breath, placed a calm look on her face and left her room only to find Riddick standing in the hallway, waiting for her.



“What happened…” He asked in a low growl and watched her give him a shrug. “Don’t lie to me Aiden, I heard your voice echoing in my head.”



“Just a shadow demon.” She whispered in a voice so low, only a wolf could pick up on it with its keen ears. “It’s gone.”



He narrowed his haunting eyes at her when his nose flared, catching the scent of iron just beneath her shirt. Why are you bleeding? Riddick asked in mind speak, knowing that she didn’t want the brothers to know.



“I’m fine Riddick.” Cat growled suddenly and literally caused the big, black wolf to take a step back at the look in her eyes. “Now back off.”



“Fine, see if I come runnin’ the next time you get hurt.” He retorted, a hint of pain in his baritone voice as he turned away and vanished down the stairs.



Her face softened at the realization of what she had just done and let out a soft sigh of guilt. Not wanting to stand there any longer she too went down the stairs, knowing that shortly… Dean and Sam would remerge from their much needed showers and want to talk to her. Cat knew she could only hide the wounds for so long. Inside, she prayed that the boys wouldn’t try to hug her…because there was no way she would be able to hide the pain from showing on her face.



Thank the gods I saved that bottle of vicodin. She thought to herself as she found a bottle of pills after she went through one of the drawers in her kitchen. Popping one in her mouth, she swallowed it down with a freshly opened can of coke and sighed as the bubbles tickled her nose. Quickly, she put the bottle back in the drawer and closed it, thankful that the guys took longer then she did to get dressed.



Can in hand, she went outside, sat at the table on the patio and lit up a fresh cigarette. Her mind wandered as she tried to understand how a shadow demon had entered her room and attacked her. For one, the whole hill surrounding her property was protected, so it was a little baffling. That’s when it hit her. She had unknowingly summoned the fuckin’ thing when she let her emotions surface. It manifested because of her own blind self loathing. So in a sense, she really did bring it on herself.



“Great…now I have to do a Cleansing Ritual to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” She muttered to herself and went to take another drink of her soda when Sam’s voice nearly caused her to choke.



“A Cleansing Ritual?” He repeated curiously, now dressed in his light blue shirt and faded blue jeans. Dean followed him onto the patio wearing an old black AC/DC band t-shirt with a pair of torn up gray jeans to match.



“Uh…” She shifted slightly in her seat as they sat down across from her, both waiting patiently for an answer. “Just something I do every month… Kinda have to or I’ll be nothin’ but trouble when the Full Moon hits.”



This threw the brothers for a loop, especially Sam. “Why…” He almost didn’t want to ask. “What happens on the Full Moon?”



Cat let out a dry giggle, “I get my period.” She replied honestly and saw the look of relief wash over their faces. “Trust me, you don’t want me to not do a Cleansing Ritual. I’ve got the curse, and it’s the only thing I know that keeps me from turning into a total bitch.”



“Well me and Sam here, will help in any way we can.” Dean shot Sam a wide gaze as though silently screaming Help. “Won’t we Sammy?”



Sam nodded without hesitation, “of course.” He replied and looked to Cat, who’s hazel eyes seemed a brighter shade of red then usual. “If you need any help with ingredients, things like that.”



A sharp jolt of pain hit the nerves in her chest, which thankfully was masked by the deep drag she took from her cigarette and blew the cloud out quickly above her head, forcing a smile on her face. “Thanks, I appreciate it. And don’t worry guys, I’m not going to ask you to go out and buy me tampons.”



Dean let out a loud sigh of relief. “Oh thank god…” He said in grateful tone as his head fell back, a hand going to his forehead. “‘Cuz if I had to do that…I’d kill myself.”



This caused everyone to burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.



-End Chapter Nine-