Nightmares...

Taking a slow, sensual drag from the intoxicating addiction, she allowed the swirling poison to lift away from her slightly parted lips. Thoughts, bundled, scattered and broken against the essence of her being…she was slowly becoming engulfed with a sensation of attraction. Not something she wanted. Not at all. For the longest of time, all that she did want…was some kind of normalcy. Something solid, fathomable, something that made sense…something named friend, lover, protector. That something was now dead and buried. Throughout the darkness of her young existence, the only thing she ever truly believed in, without a shadow of doubt…that love, real true unbridled love was, in fact…reachable. But it seemed a fleeting thing as she grew, her inner darkness growing alongside all the pain, the tears. So many broken promises, endless tears and black bruises that had stretched the landscape of her beaten body. She had scars as her memories…gently protruding from the silk of her skin, always there, even at their faintest…reminding her that she was alive and that pain was real. It had mass, it had form. It was the essence of rage, abandonment and broken dreams. It was her cage.



Sitting back, eyes trailing off into the sky, she was somewhere else. Probably drenched in thoughts, feelings…emotions of things that never sleep. Sam and Dean were silent, watching her, the way she sat in her deep contemplation. Somehow, she made it beautiful. It was slowly becoming ever more apparent to Sam, that every breath she took…became ever more intriguing. The gentle rise and fall of her chest, the simple flutter of her long eyelashes when she blinked. The way her full lips wrapped tenderly around the filter of her long cigarette.



Dean caught on to the intensity of his little brother’s gaze as he stared, almost longingly at the fiery beauty sitting just a few feet away. She wasn’t paying any mind to his eyes. Dean doubted that she was there at that particular moment. Cat was lost in a sea of thoughts as she smoked her cigarette with slow drags, as though it was the only reliable thing in her chaotic world. He admired her strength…her ability to keep herself hidden when there was two strong and very capable young men that could easily break through her barrier. She had allowed them only a few glimpses…he knew for a fact there was a great deal more she was withholding. Somewhere secret, somewhere safe. A woman after his own heart…and Sam’s.



Damn…this is going to be difficult. The hell have we gotten ourselves into? I’m not supposed to be gettin’ all soft over some dame. Hell she’s possibly more of a stubborn, pigheaded, smart ass then I am. Now that just ain’t right. Damn it all to hell…she’s gettin’ to me. Not good. I’m serious, this is bad. ‘Cuz when I look over and see the look in Sam’s eyes…like right now…I feel like a real ass. Guess I gotta do the right thing, maybe not the thing I want, but…I’m gonna be the good big brother and back off. Besides, I’m used goods. She needs a good man and there happens to be one right there, staring at her as though she’s an angel. And you know…I can’t say I blame him.



Dean cleared his throat suddenly and got to his feet. With all the shit they’ve recently been submitted to…he needed to put his head on straight and start doing research. Anything, just to get his brain in the right direction…and not directed south. “Hey, I’m gonna go plug the laptop in and see if there’s anything about this Siren creature.”



Sam snapped to and looked at his brother with the funniest expression on his face. If Dean had been in any other mood, he would have made a smart crack about Sammy lookin’ like a monkey staring at a math problem. Instead…he kept it to himself.



“Oh…” Sam said with a slight raise of his brow. “Need any help setting it up?” Sam wasn’t stupid, he knew Dean had a lot on his mind. He knew that his big brother was probably having a hard time dealing with their situation and wanted to drown himself in the Hunt so he could get his head on straight.



Dean shook his head and started for the door leading into the house. “Naw I’m good Sam.” He turned and gave Sam a knowing look. “You two talk or do whatever kids do these days.” Dean gave a slight motion of his chin to Cat, who was still…mentally somewhere else. He then saw the recognition dawn on Sam’s face, followed by a slight confused furrow on his forehead. “If you need me, you know where I’ll be.” With that said, Dean vanished inside…leaving Sam to make the next move.



Oh boy… Sam thought and shifted in his seat, wondering what the hell he was going to do or say to get her attention. He honestly had no problem with just sitting back and watching her. He found a part of himself admitting that he could watch her for hours. But seeing as that wouldn’t get him anywhere, he forced himself to think of something…and quick. Before he had a massive brain-fart and just ended up making small talk about the weather.



“Did you just say something?” A soft voice, gentle, taunting in its path through his ears pulled Sam out of his thoughts. It was Cat, eyeing him curiously with those magnificent amber hazel eyes.



“No, I didn’t.” He admitted with a shrug of his shoulders, wondering how strong her psychic ability really was.



“Oh, sorry…thought I heard you ask me a question.” Cat explained in a calm manner of speaking and noticed how his eyes flickered with an inner conflict. It was faint, but maybe that’s why she was pulled out of her head. He was subconsciously calling out to her without even knowing it and instinctively, she responded.



“Actually… I do have a few questions I’d like to ask you, if…” That adorable boyish essence swelled through his aura as he struggled to speak his thoughts. “…if that’s okay?”



The smiled that graced her lips nearly stopped his breath. “As long as you don’t ask about my bra size, I think you’re in the clear.” She joked and giggled when his eyes widened, followed by a laugh that managed to escape the gentle curve of his smiling lips. Damn that boy will be the death of me. Cat chuckled inwardly and watched the sparkle in his gaze when he met her focused eyes.



“Never asked you but…you mentioned Wolverine under a tarp in the garage.” Sam stated in a deep lull of a voice. The sound of it hung in the air, whispering microscopic promises of a silent yearning meant only for her soul to hear. It almost made her shiver. Almost.



Cat stood up and put out her cigarette in the ashtray before walking across his path, unknowingly brushing her leg against his as she passed him. “Follow me, I’ll introduce you.”



Sam had to swallow the dry lump that formed within the instant she passed him, or he wouldn’t be able to respond to her without sounding like he was trying to seduce her. “Okay.” He forced out quietly and followed her into the house, trying with every part of his willpower, to not stare at the delicious sway of her hips and the way her beautiful ass seemed to flow as she moved in silence. Oh man…this is so not fair. I can’t be thinking like this right now. I hardly know her and the last thing I should be thinking about is how wonderful she must feel… Stop it! Get a grip Sam…wait no, not that kind of grip…oh damn it never mind.



Cat sensed he was fighting with himself, which caused a phantom of a smile to cross her lips before disappearing just as she got to the door that led to the garage. It was a sharp corner at the very end of the house where you could easily hide two people from prying eyes. Shaking her head of the tickling thoughts that taunted her blood, she opened the door, flipped the switches on the wall and stepped inside. “Come on in Sammy, I want you to meet someone very special to me.”



He stepped into the old two car garage and the door pulled itself closed behind him. The air was heavy with that oil and car exhaust scent with a hint of dust; old memories held in the intricate spider webs clinging to the high rafters of the ceiling.



Cat felt a slight sting of nervous excitement, not sure why she was allowing him this special treat. No one saw Wolverine, not even Steve when he took her to the junk yard for parts. He had come over, bringing over things she’d ordered but she never let him see the progress. This was her baby that she’d been working on after Robert and Lewis died. It was the only thing besides her furry family that kept her mind from completely snapping. It was the only man in her life she knew would always be there.



“You ready?” She asked, as she stood near the garage door as it slid up behind her into the ceiling while clutching the bottom of the tarp in her hands. Seeing the curious smile on Sam’s face gave her the okay. With a simple motion to the left, the tarp made a soft whoosh and landed on the ground in front of Sam’s feet.



His eyes lit up as though he’d been shown the holy grail. “My god… This is Wolverine?” Sam said breathlessly as the glistening pitch black body seemed to shimmer, the paint job so pristine it literally reflected everything around it as though it were made of glass. “Dean would lose it if he saw this.”



Cat smiled at his comment and started walking towards him, rolling up the tarp in the process. “Dean would wet himself.” She chimed and Sam laughed with a nod, his messy brown hair dancing around his sparkling eyes. “Go ahead, get in.” She motioned to the passenger’s side and walked over to the door leading into the house and grabbed a small set of keys from the wall, next to the light and garage door switch. She turned ready to get in and noticed Sam was standing next to the passenger’s side, still glowing in amazement.



Canting her head to the side while opening the door to the topless roadster, she huffed thoughtfully. “You know Sam, I never pinned you for a Car Lover.”



He was busy staring down at the beauty of the car and snapped his head up, gave a slight smile as a hint of blush invaded his face. “I’m not like Dean if that’s what you mean. I mean, I am a guy, I still find them gorgeous. I’m sure if I had stayed…” Sam’s voice cracked and he let out a soft cough, “…with my dad and brother I probably would have been more like Dean.”



Cat felt the pain in his voice, even as faint as it was, she could feel it brushing against her mind as his voice spiraled through her keen ears. “No, you wouldn’t have.” She stated as though she knew him better then he knew himself. Sam met her gaze and held it, his sharp mind whirling with curiosity at her words. “You admire cars, while you’re brother has a motor for a brain. Nothin’ wrong with that Sammy.” She grinned deviously and got in, closing the door with a hard clang. Heavy ass door wouldn’t close unless you put a little force behind it.



Sam made his infamous thoughtful look and sank down into the old, classic cockpit style seat and closed the door with ease. He was impressed…the lines of the frame, the upholstery looking as new as the day it was driven off the lot. Sam spotted a few modern touches. The new radio, the small silver ankh dangling from the small rearview mirror that sat in the middle of the dash. He liked the thick steel roll bars behind their heads that sat as high as the top of the windshield. That alone, made him feel slightly more comfortable as he slipped on his modern black seatbelt, securing it to his left as Cat slipped the keys into the ignition and started up the engine.



A deep growling purr emitted from the powerful engine as she allowed Wolverine to warm up a little. “Why Wolverine?” Sam asked while resting his right arm on his door, his fingers idly touching the side of the windshield.



Cat sat back, enjoying the sound of the car growling to life. “‘Cuz of that spine chilling growl coming from under the hood. And because Wolverine is better then naming him Bubbles.” She gave a grin that Sam could easily see Dean sporting when making a joke.



He laughed and was surprised to see Dean opening the door to the garage and just about tripped over his own feet when he saw the vision before him. He had heard the roar of an engine vibrating through the house and decided to investigate. When he finally saw what it was, his mouth hung open in silent astonishment and let out a long winded whistle as though he just saw a woman walk by with a short skirt and legs for days.



“Dean, meet my baby…Wolverine.” Cat announced with a brilliant smile on her face, oozing with pride as she gave a slight tap on the accelerator causing the front end to move very slightly up and down as the engine growled as though she had some beast trapped under the hood.



“Sweet Jesus…” Dean moaned softly, the hairs along his spine tingling at the sound echoing from the roadster. “Sam quick…hold me.”



Sam laughed and just shook his head as Cat stifled a giggle. “You gonna be alright Winchester?” She purred with a teasing tone in her warm voice and watched Dean shake his head as though snapping himself out of some erotic dream. “We’re going to go for a ride, will you be okay here by yourself?”



“Oh hell no, I’m comin’ with you.” Dean stated and started towards her when she put a hand up to stop him.



“Incase you forget, there’s no backseat.” Cat exclaimed and watched as Dean placed his hands very carefully on her door and leaned forward, a sexy grin devouring his mouth.



“Aw come on Cat…” Dean started with a lull of a voice that was just dripping with sexual intentions. “I’ll sit on your lap, or on Sam’s lap, hell tie me to the hood!”



Cat laughed and shook her head, “no Dean.” She saw the puppy dog pout on his face and gave him a look. “I’ll tell you what, once we get back, I’ll take you for a long ride…sound good?”



Dean blinked and looked to Sam who just blinked back and sunk deeper into his seat, a hand to his forehead to hide the embarrassed smile on his face. Cat looked from Dean to Sam and realized what she had just said and smacked a hand to her mouth while barking out a laugh. “Wow…that came out wrong…”



Dean tried to hide the obvious need to laugh that trembled over his smiling lips, “hey you said it babe.” He licked his lips and gave her a wink before whispering in a voice so low she thought she felt it sweep her neck with a velvet touch. “And just so you know…you can take me for a ride anytime you want.” Dean was just kidding…at least that’s what he originally intended… But his body had other plans, making it come out as a quiet promise wrapped in silk.



Cat kept her expression as calm as possible when he stood up in a slow rise, a triumphant grin stretching the gorgeous lines of his face. Sam thankfully, hadn’t caught that little comment. If he had, she would have died of utter embarrassment.



“Have fun guys.” Dean smiled with a sing song voice and gave her a wink while she put the beast into reverse and rolled back beside Rachel until she was out onto the street. He noticed her peek over her shoulder at him when he waved and with a turn of the steering wheel, Dean watched the pristine pitch black ‘64 Shelby Cobra Roadster vanish down the block.



He dropped his hand, a hard look taking over his features, “so help me Sam, if you don’t make a move on that woman…I won’t be able to control myself.” Dean sighed to himself and felt his chest tighten. Things were about to get very interesting.



* * * * *



Cat drove Wolverine around her favorite winding road, just along the cliffs. Feeling the cool wind whipping through her damp hair as the scent of the ocean filled her senses…she sighed softly. A sense of peace swimming through her body as every car they passed seemed to slow down to stare. Sam sat quietly to her right, a small smile on his lips. Inwardly he was really enjoying the comfortable silence between them. Amazed that she was sharing this with him. He could tell this was special to her with the way she seemed to glow under the rays of the sun. Sam let his eyes peer at her and felt his breath hitch. Her long mane was whipping like a flowing cascade of liquid fire, ignited by the bright light of the early afternoon.



A surge of pain slammed against her chest causing her to let out a hiss through clenched teeth. Sam was pulled out his thoughts at this. “Cat?” His voice was filled with worry as he gazed at her contorted face with deep concern radiating from his eyes. “Are you okay?”



“I’m fine Sam…” She growled out against the terrible burning swelling just beneath the gauze under her shirt. “I think I just need to pull over for a little bit.” Cat explained in a calmer voice, having had just a moment to force herself to push the pain into the farthest reaches of her mind.



“Okay…” He replied and kept his eyes on her, knowing that she was hiding something from him. Sam sensed whatever pain she was assaulted by had been recent. But how? When? So many questions danced through his head suddenly, causing a slight thunder in his chest as his heartbeat went up a few notches. His instincts were telling him that she was hiding more then just secrets from him. And when they finally pulled off the road onto a secluded parking lot, overlooking a section of the cliffs away from the noise of the city…he was going to get the truth.



Engine shut off, she pulled the keys out, opened the door and stepped out, Sam doing the same, onto the old cracked pavement. Closing the door as she always had, she suddenly felt the energy seep out of her body, began to sway back and forth, when suddenly she lost her balance and started to fall forward. Sam was already there as a pair of large hands took her by the waist and held her up. Shaking, she had her right hand braced on the top of the door, her left pressed against her chest as if to stop the burning within the four deep slashes across her flesh.



“Cat, what the hell is going on? And don’t tell me you’re fine because you’re obviously not.” Sam said with a gentle urgency in his voice as her head hung low, not wanting to look at him. “Aiden, please…I just want to help you.”



“I know you do Sam…” It was strained and rough as it whispered from her lips. Cat had to take in slow controlled breaths to get her bearings back as she stood up straight, his hands keeping her steady and turned until she could lean back against the car. Her eyes were hooded with conflict as she looked down, unable to let herself match his gaze which seemed to be burning through her with a white hot flame of concern. “But…there are some things, you can’t help me with.”



“What things, Cat?” His voice had taken on a slightly frustrated tone because of how difficult she was making this for him. His hands moved from her waist to the sides of her arms as he crouched just enough to look into her eyes, which she kept averting. “Whatever it is that your holding in, that’s weighing down on you, doesn’t have to be your burden alone. I understand that you’ve been subjected to dealing with horrible things by yourself in the past, but you’re not alone anymore.”



This made her eyes finally meet his, and when they did he could see into the depths of a tortured soul that had been shattered into a thousands shards of glass, reflecting the misery and pain of a broken heart. Sam felt his heart ache at the vulnerable expression on her face. “You are an amazingly strong young woman and I can’t help but admire you for it. But I won’t be able to live with myself if I continue to see you falling a part and not being able to help you because you keep telling me your fine. I know what it’s like to lose the people you love… I had to watch as my girlfriend was burned alive and I couldn’t do anything to save her…”



Tears graced his eyes as his voice became low and broken at the memories. “I’ve lost so many people in my life and if it wasn’t for Dean…I don’t know where I’d be right now.”



“I’m not worth it.” It wasn’t even a whisper, it was so soft and so faint Sam almost strained to hear it. “All of this pain you have…and all I’m doing is bringing it back up to haunt you.”



“Cat, no…” He shook his head, “don’t you ever talk like that. You hear me?” Sam put two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face until their eyes met. “I promise you that Dean and I are willing to do anything in our power just to see you smile again. You are worth it Aiden…” his voice trailed off as he swallowed the lump of emotions tangled in the back of his throat and whispered, “…more then you know.”



She studied his blue/green hazel eyes and saw that there was truth residing within his heart. Cat decided that she had to admit defeat. These guys didn’t want to hurt her, and with the look on Sam’s face and the pain in his voice…she knew there was no way out of this. There was a connection between them that wouldn’t be severed even if she wanted to. Why did it have to be Sam that got through her walls? Why did this wonderful loving soul, care so deeply for such a waste of life? Cat didn’t deserve him. She didn’t deserve the understanding in his gaze or the way his touch felt like heaven against her flesh.



“I…need to show you something.” She explained in a murmur of sound and reached to the neckline of her shirt, pulled it down, forcing the black material to stretch so that the patches of gauze were visible. She saw his eyes lock on the view and horror ripple through his gaze. Cat let her eyes fall and noticed that the claw marks were showing through in deep, angry red lines of blood soaking through the gauze on her skin.



“It was a shadow demon.” Cat pulled the shirt back into place and let her hand fall to her side. “It happened when I got out of the shower.”



“Why didn’t you call for help?”



“Because I didn’t have time, Sam. It came out of virtually nowhere because I…”



Sam watched her eyes clench shut, her struggle tearing him a part. “Because of what?”



“…I unknowingly summoned it. Something I didn’t tell you, that…yes things are drawn to me, but sometimes when I’m…in a very bad emotional state, it’s almost like I can’t control it and I can literally summon demons. The only thing that stops this from happening is if I remember to do a Cleansing Ritual every month, right before the full moon.” Cat finally explained and sighed softly at her own stubborn stupidity.



“We have to take you to the hospital…” Sam began to say when terror ran across her face.



“No! No hospitals…no doctors.” Cat snapped and pulled her arms close to her body as though she was completely naked. “I don’t want them to touch me…” Her voice sounded as though she had just been violated in some terrible way. As though she had been raped…



Sam was at a loss. Seeing her like that was killing him. Why was something so beautiful, warm, and amazing forced to suffer the way she had suffered? He wanted more then anything to just hold her in his arms and promise to never let anything happen to her, but he couldn’t. Emotionally she wasn’t ready for that…and neither was he. Right now she just needed someone to be there for her, keep her stable so she could finally find some kind of normalcy. “Hey…why don’t we go back to the house and I’ll check to see how bad those wounds are.”



“It’s not a big deal.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes from the liquid emotion trying escape down her face. “It’ll heal eventually.”



“Aiden you might need stitches…” Sam said, trying keep his voice in a calm tone. “And if you do, I can do it. We don’t have to go to the hospital.”



“I hate needles…I’ll be fine, just a few more scars to add to the collection.” She murmured in such a sad almost lost voice it finally stung Sam too deep.



“Damn it woman!” He barked in a low tone causing her eyes to widen. “You’re not getting out of this. Now get your ass in the passenger side so I can drive us home, we clear?”



Whoa…Sammy has some balls…Cat was surprised at how quickly he took over the situation…and to be honest, she found it refreshing. She also had a slight smile on her lips when he said, “…drive us home.” He said it in a way that just…seemed to click. Letting the thought flutter from her mind, he helped her over to the passenger side. Once she was seated, he very carefully, slipped the seatbelt over her chest. He had to hold his breath when he dipped forward to slip the seatbelt into place and slowly backed up, his face coming within inches of hers as she watched him.



“Sorry…” He whispered and paused to look into her curious eyes.



A sweet smile fell over her full lips, “it’s okay.” She replied as he gave her a thinned lipped smile and proceeded to close her door. Resting her back against the seat, she waited in silence as Sam got into the driver’s seat, closed his door and started the engine. “Hope you can drive a stick.” She chimed in a far away voice, mostly because of physical and emotional exhaustion.



“I can handle it.” Sam smiled and reached over, gently taking her left hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze before slipping his hand onto the stick shift.



* * * * *



“Gotta say, I’m impressed Sam. You did a great job.” Cat said as he shut the engine off, got out and walked over to her side to help her out.



“Thanks…I try.” Sam mused in a sweet voice and wrapped his arm under her right arm, his hand gently clutching her left side and pulled her onto her feet. “Easy, babe…don’t push yourself.”



Cat gave a dry snort as she helped her to the door leading into the house. “You know I can do this fine on my own…I’m just a little weak is all.”



Sam waited as she opened the door and hit the switches so the garage door would slide down into place. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?” Sam chuckled in a sweet tone as they walked inside and he shut the door behind him.



“Yea well, you aren’t any better…especially that older brother of yours.” Cat shot back playfully as he helped her through the hallway and into the living room. “You can let go Sam, seriously I’m fine.”



“No you’re not.” Sam retorted knowingly and heard a strange baritone growl rumble through her chest. It nearly made him drop her, “was that what I think it was?”



Cat was starting to feel very tired; her head felt warm but her body was cold. Something was very wrong and she couldn’t figure out what exactly. She had to focus on his voice to register that he’d just asked her a question. “Oh…yea…I can growl. Kinda cool huh?” She murmured in a weak voice, her brows furrowed as she tried to keep the white spots at bay. “Sam…I… I don’t think I’m okay…”



Dean emerged from the kitchen to see his little brother holding up a very sick looking Cat. “The hell did you do to her Sam?!” He barked, a part of him furious at how the color of her skin was a lighter shade of pale.



“Easy Dean… He…didn’t do anything…” She struggled to say in Sam’s defense and felt her body within seconds of going completely slack. “Dean…help… Sam.” Was the last strained breath from her lips when her head fell back and her body dropped.



“Dean!” Sam shouted, fear evident in his voice as he struggled to keep her upright.



Dean immediately rushed over, “I got her!” Reached down and scooped up her ankles and helped Sam carry her over to the couch.



Once they had her laid out on her back, Sam put his hand to her forehead and made a face. “She’s burning up.”



“What’s wrong?” A woman’s voice exclaimed, worry swimming through her words. “No… Not again Aiden…” Ripley padded over and pushed past Sam and Dean and tried to get Cat to wake up by licking her face. When she got no response she backed up and glared at the brothers. “What did she tell you Sam?”



They looked to the wolf’s face and then to each other. Sam swallowed, “Cat said she was attacked by a Shadow Demon after she took a shower.”



Dean gave Sam an invisible bitch slap with his eyes. “Oh and you decide to tell us this, now? Good job Sam…”



“I didn’t know Dean! I found out when we went to the cliffs.” He shot back, his voice raised with fear. “She showed me the gauze on her chest…something took a swipe at her.”



“Let me see.” Dean said and noticed the tortured look on Sam’s face. “Dude, snap out of it! It’s just skin.”



Sam shook his head as Dean held her up so Sam could slip her long sleeved black shirt over her head. Once he got it off her arms he set it down next to him and stopped at what he saw. “Dean…” There was terror in his whisper when Dean’s face tensed.



“I see it Sam.” He replied with a calm voice and laid Cat’s body back onto the leather couch. “Can you make that out?” Dean asked, unable to take his eyes away.



“I don’t know…I’ve never seen anything like it.” Sam sighed in confusion and ran a hand through his hair.



“It wasn’t a shadow demon.” Riddick’s deep growl of a voice exclaimed to their left, his piercing gaze filled with an unknown emotion. “And she doesn’t have a fever boys…”



“Then what’s happening to her?!” The brothers exclaimed in unison as Riddick started towards them, his massive paws making no sound as he approached.



The wolf looked her over and stood back, sat down on his haunches and let out a growling sigh. “That’s the mark of the Siren.”



Dean and Sam looked to each other and gazed back over at the gauze, holding the four nasty red lines in its surface. But that wasn’t what had their blood running cold. It was the tiny black lines spreading out like gnarled fingers from beneath the bandages on her chest…forming a jagged, circular, tribal like symbol right above her chest plate.



-End Chapter Ten-