Nightmares...

It slices through me, the sensation of a thousand razor sharp blades glistening with a white hot fire, ripping through every single nerve until I have become as numb as a soul-less corpse. The air that once seemed sweet, has turned sour as I gasp on my fleeting breath. Pain unimaginable drifts through these tired veins, tearing away the flesh, as the bones fade into the nothing of me. I hear the growling hatred of my inner self, clawing at its cage, wanting release. I feel the sickness drench the tears as they slide down unwanted skin, bruised and broken.



I hear the whispers, singing some terrible chant, an unknown dark thing dancing on a breeze that doesn't exist. It plays over and over on invisible wings, flapping all around me. Consuming me in its twisted embrace. The poison runs deep, swirling in a thick black essence, taking over the very heart of me. I feel the cracks slowly rip, come a part, falling away as if it has been engulfed in flames and is now ash in the wind. I watch it dance away from me into the billowing mists of eternity. Mocking me as I fight to remain, I fight to breathe.



I call out, my voice once a powerful echo of my soul, now no more than the dying whimper of a madman. I choke back on the pain, my spirit fighting with every last spark of defiance. I want to live... I must fight... But as I do, the pages of my past crumble and fall away. Disintegrating into a world of nightmarish things. I collapse onto the cold wet earth, my head cracking hard against the ground as if I were no more than a unwanted porcelain doll. I feel so frail, so fragile... But I don't break. I lye here, shattered inwardly, and yet...as hard as stone.



What will become of me as the light fades from my eyes? Or will I forever remain trapped in a river of blood?



-4 days Later-



Sam and Dean had been working over time on anything they could find to save Cat’s life. It was terribly apparent that if they didn’t find a cure soon…she wouldn’t make it. They had found out that she didn’t have to go in to a nine to five job. And you can imagine how surprised they were, when Cat finally told them that she was a writer and had enough money set up in the bank for the rest of her life. Lewis had made sure of that.



Cat was hanging on…barely. If it wasn’t for that stubborn spirit of hers, she wouldn’t have made it past her teens. She was very pale and could barely move on her own. The only times she summoned almost every ounce of her strength was when she had to use the bathroom, because there was no way in hell she’d let them help her with that. The first time she had to go, which happened to be just a few minutes after she passed out on the couch, she asked for Sam to bring her a pair of clean black boy shorts, so she wasn’t completely naked when they had to help her change.



Most of the time she spent in a bedroom on the main floor, so the boys wouldn’t have to help her up and down the stairs every time she wanted to go outside and have a smoke.



The one thing that had been a real challenge for the boys is when she needed to take a shower. Oh man…they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.



*A few hours earlier*



“I’m not getting naked.” Cat growled and tried to jerk her arm out of Dean’s grasp, but she was just too weak to get him to budge.



“Darlin’ you’ve gone without a shower for four days…” Dean explained, not letting up on her arm. “I hate to say it but if you don’t get your ass outta those clothes and into that tub…”



Suddenly he was cut off by a slap to the face. He never saw it coming, hell he didn’t even expect it! She had gotten so pissed off it gave her just enough strength to raise her free hand and land the blow perfectly across his face.



Dean gave her a wide eyed look and yelled over his shoulder, “abuse!”



Sam walked into the large bathroom. “Dean what are you yelling about?” He asked and saw the rage burning in Cat’s eyes.



“She just slapped me!” Dean spat with a whine and rubbed his face. “Ungrateful hag.”



“You so deserved it!” She growled and looked to Sam, “he was threatening to take my clothes off.”



“Cat, we’ve been over this…” Sam started with a sigh and crouched down in front of her as she sat on the edge of the toilet. “You’ve gotta help us out here and stop fighting us.”



“I don’t want you guys to see me naked.” Cat said softly, her jaws clenched.



“We’ve seen most of you already, what makes this any different?” Dean chimed and realized what she meant and mentally smacked himself for speaking before thinking. “Oh…”



“Dean, sometimes I wonder if you even have a filter.” Sam chimed and shook his head, then placed his big hands on hers, holding them on her knees. “How do you want to do this?”



“I don’t, period.” Cat sighed and saw the pleading look in Sam’s patient gaze. “If I have to get naked then…so do you. Both of you.” Dean and Sam’s eyes grew two sizes larger then normal, completely speechless. “I mean…I keep underwear and bra on, you two wear boxers. You can both help me at the same time, cover more skin and that way we can get this over with sooner.”



Sam looked up at Dean for support…but Dean had the same expression in his eyes. Forcing out his courage, he took a deep needed breath and brought his gaze back to hers. “Alright…” He whispered softly and swallowed hard.



Dean grew a stoic look on his face, “let’s get this party started.” He chimed in an low voice and pulled his shirt up and over his head and started on the belt on his jeans.



Sam got up and pulled his shirt off as Dean just dropped his pants to his feet and stepped out of them. They met eyes for a moment, looked away and cleared their throats, finding this entire thing way too uncomfortable. Trying to keep his mind focused on the task at hand, Sam removed his pants and stood next to his brother, both sporting dark blue boxers.



Cat chuckled finding this just too good to pass up, “wow…look at that, a matching set.”



“Shut it.” Dean quipped with a slight smile and knelt down to help her to her feet. “You got your show, now it’s our turn princess.”



“Ruin the moment why don’t you.” Cat shot back with a quiet laugh as she stood up and accidentally fell into Dean’s arms… Cat had to hold her breath at the closeness of his naked chest right in front of her face. “How are we going to do this?” She asked barely above a whisper, fear suddenly swirling through her blood when Dean turned her body to where her back was facing Sam.



“Sam, you get the honors.” Dean nodded to Sam to start peeling off Cat’s large night shirt.



“Just relax Cat, we’re not going to hurt you.” Sam explained in a soothing tone behind her and hooked his fingers under the hem of her shirt and started to lift it. Once it was at her shoulders, Dean placed his strong hands on her waist, holding her upright as she struggled to lift her arms, giving Sam just a few seconds to pull it over her head.



Cat lowered her face and let her forehead rest against Dean’s chest, partially out of fear, as well as comfort. She was so weak she couldn’t hold her arms over her chest, subconsciously wanting to cover herself even though she was wearing a bra. So instead she used Dean’s body as a shield to keep her fears at bay.



“You okay babe?” Dean’s voice was a gentle lullaby to her ears as she only nodded in reply, unable to look into his eyes. Dean peered at his little brother with sympathy dancing on his features at how fragile she seemed. “Last part Cat.” He announced as Sam nodded, his nervousness showing on his face.



Crouching down, he slipped his hands into the hem of her gray sweatpants, took a deep breath and slowly pulled them toward the ground. He tried to keep his mind in check as her ivory colored skin beneath a pair of black boy shorts met his eyes. Averting his gaze, he pushed her sweats down to her ankles; grabbing one leg, he gently lifted it and pulled her foot free and then the other. Once finished he stood back up onto his feet and put his arms gently around her back, his rough palms sliding over the flesh of her stomach and stopped when her smaller hands found his and held them in front of her for dear life.



Sam pulled her body against him, so that her weight was on him and not Dean. “I feel so fucking vulnerable right now…” She managed to growl under her breath as her mind fought with her body to stay standing, trying to not lean all of her weight on Sam.



Dean couldn’t handle the uncomfortable tension around them. So he looked deep into her eyes and grew a smug grin, “hey would you look at that…Sam finally got into your pants.” He wiggled his brows, his dimples showing in his cheeks and watched her chuckle with a roll of her eyes, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Alright, I’ll shut up and get the shower runnin’.” Dean exclaimed, turned and pulled the massive blue curtain back, so he could start the water in the shower. Man how are we going to do this? He thought to himself and waited for the hot water to come on.



Sam sensed Cat trying to keep her weight off of him and bent his mouth to her ear, “relax baby, I’ve got you.” He cooed in a deep voice and felt her shaking form go tense and then started shivering a little more against him. “Trust me Aiden, we’re going to take care of you.”



“Alright gorgeous,” Dean announced and turned the shower on, allowing the water to spray down into the tub. “…let’s get you under the water.”



Cat nodded, as fear became a tidal wave; sweeping through her system as the brothers helped her over to the edge of the tub. “Let me try.” She whispered and summoned her strength by getting angry, started growling that eerie baritone animal growl deep in her chest and managed to bring her left leg up, placed it into the tub as Sam held her steady by her back.



Dean got into the massive bathtub, became drenched under the heat of the shower and helped her inside, trying to keep her balanced as Sam got in after her. Closing the curtain, Sam swallowed when Dean helped turn her in his direction, her eyes on Sam’s feet.



“This is so humiliating.” She murmured and kept herself from crying by staying angry at herself for getting sick in the first place.



“Cat…” Sam’s voice brought her eyes up, peering at him from beneath her long eyelashes as water drenched their bodies. God she looked so beautiful as the water trickled down her voluptuous curves. He snapped the thought away, “which one’s the soap?”



She gave a weak nod to the left, “the blue bottle.”



“Hand me some Sam.” Dean exclaimed as Sam put a fair amount into the palm of his hand and squeezed the same amount into Dean’s open palm and set the bottle back on the shelf. “You gotta be really lovin’ this Cat, you got two ruggedly handsome Hunters about to give you a thorough rub down.”



“Dean!” Sam spat and just looked at his brother. “Dude, enough. This isn’t the time to be makin’ jokes.”



“Would you just loosen up? I’m just sayin’ it like it is.” Dean grinned and Sam’s face bunched around his nose as he shook his head at Dean with a distasteful look. “You know for a fact, that any woman in her right mind given the chance, would kill to be in her place.”



“Sam it’s okay.” She murmured with a playful smile, “his commentary is not only very amusing, but distracting me from having a severe anxiety attack.”



Dean’s brows shot up with a triumphant expression. “See Sammy? I am helping.”



“Dean…do me a favor.” He growled with his chin tilted down, his eyes glaring up at Dean under his intense brows. “Stop speaking.”



She couldn’t help it and actually shuttered with laughter. “Jesus if this Siren mark doesn’t kill me, your bickering will.” Cat was suddenly struck into silence and shivered when Dean’s strong hands started scrubbing the skin of her back. Frozen, she looked up into Sam’s eyes and saw that he was asking her where to start without speaking. “Uhm…my chest.” She told him in a whisper and he nodded, hesitated for a moment and then started to wash her front.



The bandage over the wounds, had been removed the night she had collapsed, leaving a very nasty scar in its place. Sam and Dean were amazed at how quickly she healed, but then were reminded by the wolves of her heightened healing abilities.



Sam tried to be careful as he smoothed his large hands over the four red lines that marked her flesh. Sweeping the soap over her soft skin, he noticed how the black lines that slithered away from the scar started to change color.



“Hey Dean,” Sam got his brother’s attention. “Look at this.”



“You offering me a peek there, eh Sammy?” Dean couldn’t resist and swallowed back his smile at the focused expression on Sam’s face.



Dean, seeing Sam’s gaze, peeked down over Cat’s right shoulder and had to blink a few times, forcing himself to not look at her cleavage and saw the black lines of the symbol turn a light shade of metallic blue. “Huh…that’s weird.” He thought aloud and started moving his hands down Cat’s spine, consciously unaware that he’d started kneading her tense muscles in the process. “What do ya think it means?”



“I’m not sure.” Sam admitted softly and let his hands move up to her collarbone, over her shoulders and then down her arms. He looked into her eyes and saw a flicker of emotion there, as if she were completely void of her inner walls.



“Wait…” She exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the marking on her chest. “Is it just me, or did it start to change color when the water hit my skin?” Cat mentioned quietly, brought her gaze up and saw something click in Sam’s eyes.



“Hold up, I just thought of something. Siren’s are water creatures, right?” Dean suddenly announced behind Cat, catching their attention. “So maybe that’s why it changed color.”



“Makes perfect sense, they do derive from old legends from sailors out at sea.” Sam added and started running his hands over the soft skin of her stomach, washing the skin with small circles of his fingers. He was trying so damned hard to keep his body from reacting to the mere touch and feel of her flesh. His heart was pounding wildly within the confines of his naked chest at how he’d never been this close to anything so tragically beautiful. God…if I’m struggling…I wonder how she feels?



“You guys don’t have to wash my legs…” Cat stated in a flat, frightened tone, catching the very faint scent of arousal coming off of Sam. “Uhm…can you wash my face? Please Sam?”



Sam heard the sadness in her tone and nodded. “Close your eyes.” He said softly and proceeded to gently wash her face and grew a quiet smile when her cheeks scrunched close to her nose, resembling a pissed off ferret.



“I think I should rinse off now.” She whispered past the soap on her lips, her eyes clenched shut.



“You sure princess?” Dean asked in a tone too gentle to be his normal voice and watched the back of her head tremble with a shaky nod.



“Uh…yes Captain of the Obvious.” Cat scoffed with an annoyed tone and let out a sigh. “I’d kinda like to not go blind.”



Dean smiled warmly and shook his head. “You heard the Lady.” He announced over to Sam and placed her directly under the water, rinsing her clean but she quickly stopped them from leaving.



“Shit I forgot…I have to wash my hair.” She said and motioned with a slight tilt of her chin to the large orange bottle on the shelf. “You guys have done more then enough…I think I can take it from here.”



“No you won’t, Sammy will do it.” Dean gently turned her toward him and gave her a smile.



“You just won’t make this easy, will you?” She grumbled and saw him shake his head, grinning that fucking cocky grin of his. “Figures…”



Sam washed her hair quickly and they rinsed her off. Finally finished, Dean got out first and held her hand as Sam helped her step out of the tub, both of them keeping her upright. Once out, Dean handed Sam a large fluffy towel and let her lean against his chest again as Sam dried her off.



Everyone wrapped in their own towel, the boys lead her out of the bathroom, down the hall and into her downstairs bedroom. Cat was curled up on her left side in the middle of the bed when Dean motioned for Sam to step out of the room for a second.



“Sam I need you to do me a favor.” Dean whispered, not wanting her to overhear him. “I need you to go in there and…stay with her.”



Sam furrowed his brow, “I do that anyway Dean.”



Dean shook his head, slightly frustrated that his brother was so thick headed. “No, genius. I mean…go in there and…hold her. You know…that chick flick stuff you’re so good at.” Dean chimed in a quiet voice and patted Sam on the shoulder. “She needs it right now, and you’re the one for the job.”



Sam studied his big brother’s eyes, wondering why he was pushing him to get close to her. “Dean, do you have feelings for her?”



Dean was silent for a moment, not exactly sure he wanted to answer that question.



His lack of response told Sam what he needed to know. “Dude why didn’t you say anything?”



“Sam, for once in your life, just do as I say.” Dean’s voice was a little strained. “Go!” He barked and pushed Sam into the bedroom and closed the door before Sam could utter a protest. “Make her happy Sam…” Dean said in a sad whisper and walked away…his mind set on watching a movie and drinking a cold one to get her out of his head.



Sam stood there for a moment and then turned to see Cat lying on her side, shivering. With a soft sigh, he closed the distance and crawled up onto the bed, pulling her against his naked chest.



“Sam…wha… What are you doing?” He heard her whisper as he pulled the towels from their bodies, tossed them to floor and pulled the blankets over them.



“Just…uh…getting you warm.” Sam replied in a shaky voice against her hair as he molded against her body; his knees bent against the back of her legs, the curve of her ass fitting against the dip of his lower body as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against him. They were spooning.



“Oh…uhm okay.” She expressed in a tired tone of uncertainty as his hands found hers; large fingers intertwining with her much smaller ones. She never thought this would happen to her. First, she had both extremely good looking brothers damn near naked in the shower with her, whom both washed her body at the same time. If she had been in the right state of mind, she would have just been happy to die right then and there.



Now, with Sam’s strong sculpted frame holding her nearly naked body possessively in his arms, her heart was fluttering wildly at the nervous excitement pulsing through her blood. She felt oddly…safe. It had been such a long time since she felt somewhat comfortable with anyone, especially in such a fragile…vulnerable physical state. And it was Sam, his warmth surrounding her, the heat of his scattered breath on her neck, tickling her wet hair.



Cat sensed he was…scared. Probably of how close they were, and yes…if his damp boxers and her wet bra and boy shirts were any thinner… They’d be skin against skin. Which they basically were. She felt the erratic rise and fall of his chest against her back as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. She felt bad for Sam, imagining how hard this was for him. The air was so thick with his inner pain she let out a cough as it nearly suffocated her. “Sammy…?”



“Yes baby?” He answered in a husky voice and immediately tried to cover it up, “err…I meant, yes Cat?”



“Your very tense and your energy isn’t exactly giving me the warm and fuzzies. Sam, be honest… Are you okay?” She asked him, careful of her tone as he sighed deeply behind her.



He didn’t know how to answer her. He honestly didn’t know what he was feeling. Sam was just so torn up and confused inside that he wasn’t sure what he was even thinking anymore, let alone feeling. The closeness of her was causing his body to stir in ways he hadn’t felt before… No one had ever had this kind of effect on him…not even Jessica or Madison. It was something about Cat…something he couldn’t quite grasp that was doing this to him. Was it her vulnerability pulling at his heart strings? Was it the way she smiled when she looked into his eyes? Or was it something deeper…?



“Of course I’m okay… I’m just… I’m worried about you.” He finally rumbled in reply and cringed at how damned low his voice just came out. It was as though the battle between body and mind was becoming hopeless…his body was starting to win. “This is also…just new to me.”



She understood, “it’s okay Sammy…you’re not the only one with butterflies in your stomach.” Cat admitted in a murmur of a voice and wanted to smack herself upside the head for just telling him that. “I mean…I… Oh god damn it! Forget it…” She hissed between her teeth and clenched her eyes shut with an aggravated sigh, “never mind…I’m going to shut up now.”



Sam blinked at the realization of her words and swallowed the small lump in the back of his throat; heart thundering, breath quick and shallow…he was so fucking nervous…but he had to know… Otherwise he wouldn’t be able to live with himself. “No, please…don’t shut up…” He whispered against her hair and felt her body shutter in response to the sheer sensual depth of his tone. “Cat… Aiden, please…” When she didn’t respond, he closed his eyes, took a very deep needed breath and licked his suddenly very dry lips.



Before she knew what was happening he managed to scoop her up in his powerful arms and turned her around, so that her wide eyes were now facing him. “Sam…what are you…?” Cat’s frightened, anxiety filled voice was silenced when he placed the index finger of his right hand on her trembling lips.



His endless pools of shimmering hazel green searched her soul as his right hand gently lifted from her lips, and very carefully, trailed up her left cheek bone, only to sweep some damp strands away from her face, pushing them behind her ear. Sam’s breathing hitched as he let his fingers trail back down the softness of her skin, moving ever so slowly over the flesh of her jaw line until his hand stopped at her mouth. Hesitantly, he placed his thumb on the valley of her full lips and tenderly, ran it back and forth until he cupped her head in his hand, leaned up and forward, only to place a feather like kiss on her forehead. He lingered there for a long time, delaying the moment as he breathed in her scent, taking her into him, imprinting her aroma into the endless files of his mind.



Soul shattering silence overwhelmed them and all she could think about was the warmth of his pedal soft lips pressed against her forehead. She could feel Sam drowning in her scent until he broke away, panting at the intensity of their tender moment. Nerves racked with fearful excitement as desire began to seep into their heated veins, causing their pounding hearts to sing in unison.



Unable to find his voice, Sam pressed his forehead against hers; both holding their eyes closed, the tips of their noses nearly touching as he let his right hand continue to rest on the left side of her face. With just that simple show of affection, he felt as though he’d lost himself. As though just laying with her, felt as though this was his first time…all over again. The fear slithering through his blood, the moments of intense, uncomfortable silence that seemed to swell into eternity around them.



Sam suddenly felt terrible for what he was doing. Here he was, unable to control himself from openly showering her in affection when she was too weak to even move around on her own, let alone be thinking about…sex. But…he couldn’t help it. Something was pushing him toward her, causing his desire to rise with every soft breath that escaped her parted lips.



Oh god what do I do now…I want to, so badly…but what if this makes me even worse? Gods this isn’t fair! I just…I want…damn it I can’t. But wait…that’s weird. What the hell…? I feel…no this can't be possible…am I stronger? I can feel this, weird wave of electricity going through me. Oh god I can move my arms! They… They don’t feel heavy anymore! Cat thought with shock written all over her doll like face when she brought her left arm up, very carefully, and placed her trembling hand on the side of his face.



Sam opened his eyes to see the look of surprise dawning across her beautiful features. He then felt her shift, using a strength she hadn’t had in over four days, and pressed herself closer to him. “Sam…I, I feel weird.” She admitted in a stronger voice, the color faintly, coming back to her face. “Something’s happening to me… I can’t explain it.”



“How do you feel?” He asked in a husky growl and didn’t let it get to him, he was too focused on her at the moment to worry about the way his voice betrayed him.



“It’s strange…it feels like there’s electricity flowing through me. I feel…better, stronger almost.” Cat explained in a confused voice and bit the inside of her bottom lip. “What does that mean?”



“I don’t know…” Sam replied and saw her high arched brows grow a thoughtful crease.



An idea shimmered through her intense gaze. “Sam…I…” She struggled and took a deep breath, “I want to try something…okay?”



He merely nodded with a curious look when she brought her face forward, causing him to hold his breath when her full lips met his in a very gentle, almost pleading kiss. Eyes closed, he fell against the sudden contact of her mouth and heard her make a very soft moan in the back of her throat in response. A bolt of lightening seemed to sweep through him, trickling through every pore, touching every nerve, licking every intricate fiber of his body until his blood had exploded into a raging inferno; a liquid fire that began to surge through his veins with a terrible vengeance.



Cat felt the energy swimming back and forth through their kiss and heard her soul call out into the darkness of her being, wanting more. Unable to stop herself, she pressed her lips against his with slightly more force, begging him with taunting half kisses. He responded by letting out a deep, primal groan and pulled her hard against him, their tongues gently clashing as their mouths began to devour each other.



Oh god… Her mind whimpered as he gently urged her onto her back, only to lay on top of her, his hips pressing between the apex of her thighs, her legs wrapped possessively around his narrow waist. Cat let out a surprised gasp when he gently pushed his hips up and against her, his obvious arousal pressing hard against her aching warmth. Sam continued this slow, intoxicating motion of his body while he held himself up by his powerful arms, his mouth still devouring hers in a starving kiss.



Her hands snaked from the sides of his face down to his neck, wrapped her fingers securely on the back of his neck and urged him down, begging him to get closer, aching to feel him. “I feel like I’m on fire.” She moaned against his wet, wanting lips. The sweetness of honey, intoxicating like wine. Cat felt her soul drowning.



Sam had just enough strength to force himself to pause so he could peer into the endless depths of her eyes; hooded with desire. “Me too…” He replied in a breathless growl and took a moment to catch his breath. “Are you okay? I mean…do you really want to do this? Because the last thing I want to do, is hurt you…”



Concern danced through her eyes. “I…I do…but I don’t know.” She said softly and gently pressed her lips against his, savoring the way he gave into the loving embrace while gently nibbling on her bottom lip. Catching her breath, she pulled back just enough to speak. “I just don’t understand it… It’s almost as though…being… Like this…with you… Is giving me my strength back and… I don’t know if I like that.”



He could hear the deep worry in her voice and looked deeply into her eyes. “Are you afraid you’re draining me? Because…I don’t feel weak. In fact, I feel more aware…more awake.” Sam explained, part of him not wanting to stop, while the other half remained weary of what was happening to them.



“You…you do?” She asked while biting hard into her bottom lip, unknowingly piercing the swollen flesh, causing a very faint stream of red to appear at the edge of her lips.



Sam went to answer when he caught the most delicious scent…causing his eyes to roll back in his head, his nostrils flaring…his mouth watering at the very aroma. He couldn’t place it. It was so unlike anything he’d ever savored before. Opening his eyes, they seemed wild…almost predatory as his gaze focused on the small trail of blood trickling over her soft flesh. In a fluid dip of his face, his tongue lapped up the angry red line, licking her flesh clean of the salty essence.



Cat didn’t know what the hell was going on when a very deep, primal growl rumbled through his chest and escaped his parted lips. Her eyes met his and she felt her once heated blood turn to ice. “No…” She whimpered in terror at the demonic spark dwelling just within the black depths of his pupils. Cat could feel the dark energy radiating out of his body as that horrible presence swept through him…right into her.



“Sam?” She was so terrified that her vision was finally manifesting that she didn’t notice the way her body began to tremble violently beneath him.



He studied her face, his expression calculating…cold…almost menacing. Silence enveloped them in a twisted embrace of uncertainty and fear…her overpowering fear swelling around them, bleeding into the air, only to slip into his nose. Within seconds his face softened; his eyes filled with an overwhelming confusion until he realized the look of complete and utter terror on her angelic features.



“What is it? I didn’t…oh god…did I hurt you?” Sam’s voice became heightened with panicked concern of what he may have done to her.



“No you didn’t…” She forced herself to choke out and felt the sting of tears hit her wide eyes. Instead she forced them back and put her walls up…afraid that whatever she just sensed, was still there. “You just had me scared for a second…”



“Jesus I’m sorry Cat…I…I don’t know what came over me. It almost felt like I was in the background and all I could do was watch.” Sam whispered in a broken voice and pulled away, placing his back to her while he hung his legs off the bed, dropping his head in his hands.



Cat, for the first time in forever it seemed, physically rose up so that she was sitting up. She couldn’t believe it. She brought her hands into her sight so she could analyze them, turning them so she could study the color of her skin. She wasn’t pale anymore. It didn’t make any fucking sense. Was it a reaction to the water from the shower? Maybe triggering something in that Siren Symbol? Cat looked to her chest and noticed, with her mouth agape, that the tribal symbol once jagged and menacing…seemed smooth and beautifully curved. There was also a slight glow, a pulse, just beneath the intricate lines within her flesh. It was a faint, almost luminescent light with a blue tint to it.



She brought her right hand to her chest, and looked over at Sam from beneath her lashes. That’s when she felt the literal tremble beneath the symbol on her chest. It almost felt like it was humming; singing out some unknown melody that weaved into the air around her body, encasing her form in an invisible veil of powerful secrets. Cat felt a strange tremor work through her veins and saw Sam’s head perk up, as if subconsciously under the thrall of the unknown energy that began to surge from the symbol beneath the palm of her hand.



Slowly, Sam turned his body around to look at her. It was as though every fear, every doubt and confused emotion was swept away by the strangest sensation of…ethereal warmth. Serenity and peace…with her name at the edge of its soundless lips.



When their eyes met, a fire had engulfed them. All logic, all rational thought was shut down, put to the side…only to be completely overwhelmed by deep, primal need. Instincts thick and wild, unchained and released as they both took heaving breaths; their heavy, lust filled eyes locked as though waiting for the other to attack.



Cat watched as though hypnotized, her breathing husky, panting from her parted lips as Sam slowly crawled his way back up the queen sized mattress; strong, well defined shoulders dipping and swaying seductively as he prowled up and over her legs until his mouth was a mere breath away from those full, heart shaped lips. The thick essence of anticipation, swirling, weaving through them. Blending and mixing, pulling them ever closer, then allowing just enough space to have them craving, begging, starving for just one small embrace. Waiting in desperation for the faintest indication of when to begin…



Raising a shaky arm, Cat moved the hand from her chest to cup the left side of his face in a gentle caress. She didn’t know what had gotten into her, she couldn’t fight it. All consuming, overwhelming and overpowering her… The need to feel connected. To belong to something more…to feel…him…To cast away the hollow darkness, the forbidden emptiness and have him fill the void with his strength, his warmth…to feel the pulse deep inside, to know she wasn’t void of emotions… To feel loved…



Sam felt his heart jump when he saw the silent yearning within her large eyes. So fragile, so vulnerable…he could see it, like a solar flare igniting the night sky from the endless reaches of space. It was just a fading flicker of light, desperate and afraid to be seen…to have someone understand. That’s when he saw her…the real woman hidden beneath layer upon layer of a secluded sanctuary. And at the moment…he wanted to be there.



In a flash their lips met in a devastating kiss. The world and everything within it vanished…as though time itself…had stopped…just for them.



Falling back, drowning in the sensation of his overpowering lips against hers, she became lost to herself. Two souls, walking along broken paths strewn out across a landscape of the forgotten…suddenly shattered and gave way. Leaving them to find safety in each other, to find their way home. Not as two entities…but as one blinding light of unity.



Hands on hands, sweeping over the soft of her skin, taking away the only things between them. Her eyes held a fearful innocence as Sam carefully removed her bra and boy shorts. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he slipped the damp material of his boxers from his body and tossed them carelessly to the side, thankful to finally be free of the barrier.



Taking a shallow, uncertain breath of nervous anxiety, she waited as he very slowly, crawled up her naked body. She held back the gasp in the back of her throat as she felt the heat of his hard length press against her inner thigh. He was hesitating, letting the moment stretch out into an eternity as he peered into her soul. Even though they were being led by a powerful, primal force of desire…he still retained his patience. He wasn’t going to ruin this by plunging into her. Sam wanted to savor the moment, to remember every little detail.



“Wait…” Sam suddenly exclaimed in a deep purr of a voice and shook his head in frustration. “Not without a condom.”



A hint of a smile etched its way across her lips as she pointed to the small nightstand to the right of the bed, “third drawer.”



Sam gave a sheepish smile and maneuvered himself over her, got to the drawer and managed to grab the purple box and dropped it on top of the nightstand. Cat sighed with a chuckle when he grabbed one from the box, put it between his teeth and slipped back over her, his hips hovering just between her thighs. “Ready?” He asked in a muffled voice when he took the wrapped condom from his teeth, waited for her to give a quick nod and tore it open.



Slipping it on, he threw the empty wrapper behind him and looked deeply into her eyes. With one last deep breath, Sam dipped down and pressed his mouth ever so gently against hers, distracting her with tender half kisses as he used his left hand to place himself between the velvet folds of her moist heat. She whimpered against his kiss as he very slowly, started to push forward. Sam growled somewhere deep within the confines of his chest at the feeling of her tight, white hot heat clamping around his thickness. He had to literally will himself to go slow as he inched forward and slid out, carefully, repeating the motion so her body would become accustomed to his length and girth.



Her eyes clenched shut at the slow invasion; pleasure and pain, rippling through her spine, igniting every nerve throughout her body. It had been such a very long time…so long in fact that her natural tightness had become even more so, making this feel…as though it was her first time…all over again. And in a very real sense…it was.



Silent tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she fought the slight sting of pain traveling through her nerves. Sam was beginning to slip further, sink deeper when he noticed the look on her face. Allowing himself to fill her completely; filling her until he didn’t know where she ended…or he began. He rested his body against hers and kissed the tears away from her heated flesh.



Leaving very soft, almost feather like kisses on her forehead and lips, he remained there. Deep inside, flesh against flesh, heartbeats pounding as one…completely connected. No longer empty…



“I’ll go slow baby…” Sam murmured against her lips and felt her nod, knowing Cat had lost her voice the moment he sank into her secret depths.



As promised, his hips pressed forward, carefully, moving methodically. Back and forth, in and out, gently, savoring the feeling of her. The strong, enveloping heat, all around him, sinking further into her waves. His arms held him up, placed on either side of her body as her hands held both sides of his face. Keeping him there, keeping him close so she could feel his breath on her skin, feel his forehead touching hers. It was such an intense, intimate connection. As though they couldn’t get close enough, wanting more, hungering for that ethereal bliss their bodies would eventually create.



Soft, almost inaudible, whimpering moans escaped her lips, only to be devoured by his hungry mouth. Hot and wanting, intoxicating her senses as he drove rhythmically into her core. Cat could suddenly feel the emotion there, residing in the sensual movement of his hips. It was slithering from the heat of his body, surrounding her, encasing her in a feeling of acceptance and need. There was a very deep sense of love in the way Sam moved, the way he breathed…the look of vulnerability and amazement in his eyes at what they were sharing. It wasn’t sex…not even in the slightest. It was something deeper…something incredibly rare, precious and fragile in one beautiful essence.



There was a hitch in breathing, her chest heaving when small waves of tension began to pulse with every delicious motion of his body. Sam could feel the fluttering and trembling around him, causing him to let out a very husky, baritone moan that had formed somewhere deep in the back of his throat. Her whimpers were starting to become frequent as her hips matched his every sensual thrust. Pulling him closer, moving with him, her inner walls beginning to convulse and clench at the terrible pulsing of energy deep within her womb. It felt as though a thousand tangled vines of energy were throbbing, aching and straining for that single moment…of bittersweet eruption.



“Oh god…Sam… I’m…” It was a broken whisper against his lips as he watched her face, witnessing her mouth open in a silent gasp, eyes clenched shut when she went completely rigid. That moment of bliss had arrived, overpowering her in waves upon waves of climatic ecstasy.



Sam moved just a little faster when he felt his own inner tension begin to unfold and quake. At first there was a terrible tightening, driving him to push harder, sink deeper as her tight walls began to clench and flutter, sending him over the edge. Cat’s head fell back at the intensity of his thrusts, driving wildly into her, his climax racking his body, sweat dripping, chests heaving. A guttural groan escaped his clenched teeth as he pumped just a few more times…and finally, his strength nearly gone…he collapsed into her arms.



Cat and Sam were panting in unison; basking in the aftermath of euphoria. They felt as though they had reached a higher level of consciousness, not quite heaven…but some kind of barrier had been passed. They had broken through some unseen threshold and were now trying to come back down.



Getting his strength back, Sam lifted himself and pulled himself from her core. “I’ll be right back.” He exclaimed in a strained voice, leaving a kiss on her lips before getting off the bed.



Cat just laid there, unable to move, or think. Every inch of her body tingling, sending waves of calm over her form as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes peeked over to her side, where she noticed that Sam had cleaned up and found a small wastebasket just next to the nightstand. Sam’s naked body was displayed just before her eyes and it caused her lips to curve into a quiet smile. He finally turned, met her gaze with a matching expression on his face and made his way to the bed, crawling back over to her.



Pulling her back flush against his chest, he molded his body against hers, pulled the cool sheets up and over them and finally wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “That was…amazing.” He murmured in a breathless tone and let out a yawn.



“Yes…it was.” Cat’s purr of a voice faded off into the silence around them, catching Sam’s attention. “Sam, that was the first time during sex…that I…”



“It was?” He asked and felt her nod. “Wow…wait, really?”



He felt her body shake with quiet laughter. “Yes baby…really.”



Sam went silent at the way she called him baby…and it made him smile. “Let’s get some sleep.” He purred in a husky growl and nuzzled his face between her shoulder blades, the sense of feeling completely loved swimming through his veins.



As they started to drift into a peaceful sleep…the Mark of the Siren on her chest suddenly illuminated the room with a burst of gold, blending into red and purple hues before fading away…the lines pulsing with a very faint color of turquoise…



The young lovers fell into a deep sleep, safe in each other’s arms…



No longer alone.



-End Chapter Eleven-