Not A Winchester

[Onyx's Note:: Well, I hope everyone's been enjoying this story so far. No reviews yet, but I figure...you like it, awesome, if not, no worries. I like writing this story and I'll keep sharing it with you! Alright, so in this chapter Sam and Tora get some alone time...due to a very Funny Dean moment. On that note, Enjoy!]

* * * * *

We went about the rest of the evening relaxing and trying to remain normal after everything we’d all been through. The boys continued to avoid the subject of how they’d found my brother…and Kate. Bobby, however, finally got around to informing me of the details, just as we were all gettin’ ready to get some shut eye. He was gentle about it, tried to keep out the more gruesome parts of how they’d been found…but I knew, having dealt with ghouls before. I knew how they devoured their food…

Needless to say, I’d made a point to have a big gulp of Whiskey right before I changed into some old pajamas to crash in. Just an old, over sized pair of black pants and a big dark blue shirt. Not very sexy, but comfortable as hell and I just didn’t have enough energy to give a shit.

Bobby had been awesome and had brought in my thick dark red blanket from my car and gave me a pillow for the couch. I curled up on my left side, (my leg no longer protesting), facing out and buried my face in the pillow. I must have dosed off for only twenty minutes when I remember hearing the boys, who were gettin’ their sleeping bags situated next to me, talking in low voices.

I guess they thought I’d conked out already…or perhaps, had no idea how keen my hearing was. Either way, I got to listen in on their conversation…about me.

“I really feel bad for her Dean.” Sam said in a soft voice, closer to me because Dean had wanted to sleep the furthest away. “I mean…damn, she just lost everything, except for Bobby.”

“I do too, but there’s nothin’ we can do about it Sammy.” Dean replied and made a soft grunt when he laid down into his sleeping bag.

I heard Sam lie down with a sigh and could sense by his energy how close he really was to the couch. If I did roll off the damned thing in my sleep, I would literally end up on top of him. Thankfully I don’t tend to move, so I knew instinctively he just wanted to be close without making it obvious.

“You like her, don’t you.” Sam stated to his brother in a low rumble.

Dean scoffed, “she’s got one helluva a right hook, I’ll give you that.” He replied and I kept my face as still as possible, even though I wanted to smile.

“Dean that’s not what I meant.” Sam began to say in a flat tone when he was interrupted.

“Ya, ya I know.” Dean said and I could feel him gazing at me, “Well let’s see… She’s a Hunter, she’s a smart ass, she can handle herself…and ya, I’ll admit it, she’s very easy on the eyes.” He explained and shifted in his sleeping bag. “But we already know who she’s gunnin’ for.”

Sam seemed to think about it for a moment when he spat, “Wait, what?”

“You know what I’m talkin’ about Sammy.” Dean countered, a smile evident in his voice.

“Me? Ya right.” Sam chimed but I could tell he knew he was full of shit.

“Ya-huh,” Dean spat sarcastically, “I mean come on…she did come real close to kickin’ my ass Sammy, and that says something.”

Sam was quiet for a long time…I guess he didn’t know what to say to that.

“Then again…if you two did get cozy, wouldn’t that be like…incest?” Dean added in a funny voice and I heard Sam thwap him with his pillow. “Hey!” Dean exclaimed a little too loudly followed by Sam shushing him.

“God Dean,” Sam grumbled and I could hear Dean chuckling into his pillow as Sam got resituated. “Go to sleep.”

Hearing that caused a small tremor of laughter to fill my chest and I had to move or they’d see me laugh. So I mumbled softly, feigning sleep and curled up closer to my pillow, hiding my face.

There was a long silence until I heard Dean very softly, rumble out, “She sure is pretty when she’s asleep.”

“Yea,” Sam added, a strange emotion in his voice, “she is.”

I made no movement, knowing that Sam was now facing me. Instead, I tried to make my body relax enough to sleep…hoping that I wouldn’t dream.

* * * * *

I was jolted awake by the sound of screaming…and when I blinked the sleep from eyes I’d realized…it had been in my head. A nightmare. I let out a long whooshing sigh, wiped at my face…and let out a hiss because the flesh was still tender but noticed something cold and wet. I looked at my right hand and noticed I’d been crying. “Great…” I growled to myself and relaxed back against the couch.

“Tora, you alright?” Sam rumbled next to me and I glanced over, able to see him because of the light bleeding into the room we were in from a small light in the kitchen.

“Ya I’m okay.” I answered and cleared my throat, hoping he hadn’t noticed the tears on my face. “Just a nightmare, not uncommon.”

He studied my face carefully, lying on his stomach, the right side of his face pressed into his pillow. Dean was knocked out, snoring softly next to him. “Must’ve been a real bad one.” He added and I furrowed my brow at him.

“Why do you say that?” I asked in a hushed voice and pulled the blanket closer around me.

Sam sat up on his elbows, his wavy brown hair a mess around his eyes, “you were whimpering. It sounded like you were crying.” He explained, his gaze filled with concern.

“Oh…” I uttered softly and licked my lips, “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

He gave me a small smile that appeared almost apologetic. “No, I was already awake. Couldn’t sleep.” Sam said softly and had a bashful tone to his deep voice.

I studied his expression, the lines of his face…sensing that he’d been watching me as I slept. I grew a half smile, “How long were you watching me sleep before I started whimpering?” I asked in a warm voice, knowing that he’d feel very embarrassed that I’d caught him.

A slight rouge danced across his cheeks as a bashful smile stretched the valley of his lips. “Ya…” He muttered and cleared his throat, “about ten minutes.” He said and I could see him swallow.

I didn’t know what to say… Because when I’d meet his eyes, I’d feel myself blush and bury my face in the pillow…only to hear him chuckle at me. I wasn’t trying to be cute…he just had this affect on me no one else had. It wasn’t right…I wasn’t known to get giddy like this around men. Period. It just wasn’t natural. Or so I kept telling myself every time I’d go to look at him and he was just gazing back at me, with a small smile on his lips. I don’t know what the hell was compelling me to keep doing that…but I couldn’t help it. The boy was something I liked lookin’ at…I just wish he wasn’t lookin’ back at me when I did.

“Can I ask you something?” Sam asked, a curious but fearful tone in his voice. Probably afraid that I’d think it was too personal and just shut him out.

Questions never bothered me, especially if it was someone I didn’t immediately dislike. “Sure.” I replied and watched him worry his bottom lip between his teeth for a moment. “What’s up?”

“Are you seeing anyone?” He asked carefully and I grew a funny look. “Well, I mean…I know how left field that was and you know, if that’s too personal you don’t have to answer…”

I chuckled, he was cute when he rambled, “No it’s not too personal.” I said cutting him off and met his eyes. “I’m not seeing anyone…not that I really could anyway, what with Hunting taking up my entire life. And not to mention the fact of how dangerous it is and could be to a civilian.” I explained and watched him nod, “how about you? Seein’ someone I mean?”

“Seeing someone?” He repeated the question and I nodded. “Well…no.”

I felt a crease form between my brow. I could sense he was single, but the way he answered me…it was like he wasn’t sure. “So you don’t have a steady girlfriend?” I asked, rewording my question.

“No steady girlfriend.” He replied and I nodded, pursing my lips together, thinking. “You don’t believe me…”

“It’s not that,” I started to say, trying to find the right words. “It’s just the way you answered, as though you weren’t sure. That’s all.” I stopped and gave him a curious smile, “wait…why are we talking about this again?” I knew why…I just wanted to hear him say it. Honestly…he had the kind of a voice I could listen to for hours.

“I don’t know,” Sam said and managed to look embarrassed at himself for asking me in the first place. “Making conversation I guess?”

My brows were raised, a look of, ‘uh-huh, sure’ written in the smile that danced across my lips. “Right…” I chimed and shared a soft laugh with him. “It’s alright Sam… I mean, we’re adults…I know you find me slightly attractive and I kinda think you’re cute too. And as far as I’m concerned, we’re allowed to flirt with each other if we want to.”

He smiled bashfully, looked down, nodded and brought his gaze back to mine, licking his lips. “That’s a very interesting way of looking at it.” Sam said with another small laugh.

I just held a partial grin on my face, knowing I was once again, blushing…but didn’t hide it. “Well? It’s only natural when two people find each other attractive.” I explained matter-of-factly and very lightly, bit into my bottom lip.

Sam searched my eyes, his smile still there…but somehow serious in the dim light. It seemed as if he were about to say something that I knew would cause a deeper tension to build between us…when we were both stopped…

By the most horrendous sounding fart that seemed to explode from Dean’s ass. It was so friggin’ loud I think his ass cheeks actually vibrated from the gas erupting outta him as though he were propelling himself through space.

Our eyes locked, both wide eyed and before we could stop ourselves, ended up falling into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

Dean grumbled and muttered in a half coherent sounding voice, “damn it Sammy…no more beans.” and went back to snoring…

I had to shove my face in my pillow or I would have completely lost it. As I struggled with my breath, I suddenly caught the stench hanging in the air from Dean’s musical fart. “Sweet Jesus! That’s just not right!” I exclaimed gagging, my eyes watering, as I managed to cover my mouth just in time to look over to Sam who was already out of his sleeping bag and standing over me.

“Quick let me get you up, before you pass out from the fumes.” He said under his left hand covering his mouth and offered me his right hand, which I took so we could quickly get to fresh air.

Limping, my blanket still wrapped partially around me, the other portion dragging out behind me like a half-assed version of Dracula’s billowing cape. We headed out onto the front porch and I motioned to sit down at the small steps.

Once seated, I could feel the desperate need for the cool fresh air. I inhaled a blessed lungful as Sam sat down to my direct left and we both coughed and laughed.

“Oh my god,” I spat through giggles and shook my head, “thank god no one lit a match or the whole house would have been catapulted into the void of space like a Lunar Lander crash landing on the face of the moon.”

Sam laughed and wrapped his arms carefully around himself, obviously not dressed for the cold night air. “Ya I don’t think Bobby would’ve been too happy about that.” He said while rubbing his arms.

“No I doubt it.” I laughed and noticed that due to him rubbing his arms for warmth, small red lines began to bleed through his bandages. “Jesus you’re freezing, here.” I exclaimed and unraveled the blanket, motioning for him to get under it. “It’s big enough to cover both us, so don’t argue.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Sam said with a soft laugh and draped it over his broad shoulders, causing us to basically squish next to each other underneath for warmth. “Wow you weren’t kidding.” He exclaimed, surprised that my blanket was big enough to completely wrap around us and still have some left to spare.

I shivered due to the cold air he’d let in when he’d covered himself and smirked, “I love this blanket.” I said, teeth chattering and felt my heart do a kamikaze back flip into my throat when he extended his right arm and placed it over my shoulders, pulling me closer and began rubbing my right arm with his hand, trying to warm me up.

Here’s the strange thing…one of those weird abilities I have that no one knew about…well, besides John. As Sam rubbed his hand over my flesh in an attempt to warm me up, I caught the faintest scent of something…familiar. I parted my jaws just enough to allow the scent to pass over my tongue, allowing me to taste it to see if I could distinguish what the hell it was. It was the slightest bit of copper…a rusty smell I immediately recognized. The blood that had seeped through his bandages had somehow managed to catch my attention.

“How’re your arms doin’?” I asked softly, now focused on the fact that he was bleeding through the gauze.

This struck Sam as odd, “My arms?” He asked, a crease in his brow as he looked over at me, to which I gave a nod. He frowned, puzzled by my question. “Uh, they’re fine, why?”

I let out a sigh and shook my head. “Don’t play dumb Sam.” I stated in a warm tone and noticed he really wasn’t following. Thick-headed Winchester. “You were cut by the Ghouls…and you’re bleeding through your bandages.”

His eyes widened, brought his left arm into view for inspection, once again allowing more cold air to rush under the blanket. It’s only then that he noticed the blossoming of red against the white of his bandages. “Oh shit…” Sam spat under his breath and pulled the blanket closer, his eyes on mine with a curious gleam in them. “How’d you know they were bleeding?”

“Well…” I trailed off, really unable to find the right words to cover up the simple fact that I could Smell it. Ya, not somethin’ you wanna tell someone…they tend to think you’re just shy four cans out of a six pack. “I felt it against my back.” I lied, sorta… Even though I could kinda feel the slight stain of his blood against the thin material on the back of my shirt.

Sam immediately pulled the blanket up and away from my back, allowing the soft glow from the porch light to examine my statement. Apparently…there was a small line of a stain there because he softly exclaimed, “Damn Tora… I’m sorry.”

I shook my head, “Nonsense Sam. Just cover me back up, it’s no big deal. Besides, it’s just an old shirt.” I explained and motioned for him to cover me up before I froze to death.

Once we were securely beneath the blanket again I murmured, “Just don’t forget to check on the bandages in the morning. You’re wounds should be fine until then.”

He wore a half smile, his dimples showing. “I will, thanks.” Sam replied in a deep rumbling voice that caused the fine hairs along my spine to bristle and stand on end.

I don’t know why I did it, but for some reason…it just felt like the right thing to do. I buried myself against him, placing my head against his chest, my legs pressed up against his while holding a piece of the blanket in place so it wouldn’t come undone.

“Mmm You’re warm.” I purred in a low voice and felt his right hand, which was on my arm, gently squeeze the flesh.

“You too.” He replied in a husky timber and even though his heart was racing deep within his chest…the tension between us damn near tangible… We didn’t move. We just sat that way on the small steps of the porch, curled up under my big ass blanket…enjoying the warmth of each other’s company.

It was nice…it almost felt…normal…and strangely, safe.

* * * * *

I don’t remember falling asleep…I just remember feeling very warm and content as we sat outside in silence. Next thing I knew, I felt the warmth of someone’s soft lips against my forehead causing my eyes to flutter open. I instinctively knew I was safe with someone…otherwise I might have attacked him without realizing it.

“Hey,” Sam said softly as I blinked up at him. “Ready to go inside?”

I let out a yawn, “how long was I out?” I asked and felt sleep still pulling me back.

“Not long.” He replied with a yawn of his own and rubbed my arm as I slowly sat up.

“Think it’s safe to go back inside?” I asked when another yawn broke through me, causing Sam to do the same.

He nodded, “I’m sure it’s gone by now.” He said and chuckled. “Come on, before you fall asleep out here.”

“Okay.” I said softly and allowed him to help me up and back inside.

We crept back into the room and thankfully, the stench was long gone. I couldn’t help but giggle at the memory of Dean’s ass blaring like a foghorn out at sea.

Sam helped me back over to the couch, but I had a different thought. I blame being half asleep for my sudden epiphany. “Hey Sam…” I murmured and he gave me curious eyes. “You know…uhm, if it’s okay…maybe I could curl up with you? You know, on top of the sleeping bag and we can share my blanket?” My voice was barely audible when I asked…a part of me afraid of being rejected.

An incredibly sweet smile dawned across his lips, his dimples showing, causing his eyes to sparkle. “You sure? I mean, if that’s what you want?” He asked in a deep rumble and all I could do was give a sheepish nod.

I grabbed my pillow from the couch as he set the sleeping bag up for both of us to lay on. “Here, let me help you.” He offered and helped me ease myself down onto the sleeping bag, lying on my right side, facing the couch when I felt his long frame curl up behind me, placing my blanket over us.

I tucked my right arm underneath my pillow, cradling it against my face and had to hold my breath at the feeling of Sam’s right arm extending underneath my neck, his hand sticking out in front of me. I sat up and relaxed against him, hoping I wouldn’t make his arm bleed more or have it go numb from the weight. “Are you comfortable?” I asked in a whisper and felt his knees pressing up against the back of my knees, fitting perfectly behind me.

“Almost.” He rumbled in reply as he draped his left arm over my waist…and before I knew what I was doing, the fingers of my much smaller hand were intertwined with his, blanket draped over us…and felt the weight of sleep pulling me away.

Just as that sweet darkness was carrying me off to blissful unconsciousness I felt the heat of his breath against the back of my head, followed by the deep timber of his voice when he said, “Sweet dreams Tora…” and with a slight smile on my lips… I was swept away…

* * * * *

8:26am, Morning

Warmth all around me, the feeling, a silent awareness that I was safe… God, how long had it been since I’d ever felt safe? Not even as a Child had I felt safe. I knew there were things, bad things, that were out there…hunting…waiting… For that single moment of weakness…especially being so young. I’d known like any other animal on this planet, that I was easy prey, being so small and naturally unable to truly protect or defend myself. An instinct that as time passed only became more apparent, which is how I stayed alive for so many years as a Hunter.

As I laid there, the blanket over me…the heat of Sam’s more powerful frame pressed protectively against me… I knew what being safe in someone’s arms truly meant. I knew on some deeper level, that being this close to a man I’d never really known, allowing him to be this close to me in such a vulnerable state… There was a connection. I don’t know how I knew that, or why I wasn’t bothered by it… But I could feel it, especially when I first looked into his blue/green eyes lit by the firelight of that terrible night. Perhaps he felt it too, which may have explained his reaction to me and the way he’d put himself in the middle when Dean and I began butting heads.

There was something else I began to consider as I remained lying there with Sam’s left arm draped over my waist, his face close to the back of my head, his breathing even as he slept. Maybe it was in the blood, Sam’s blood that called to me. Something…special about him. That could possibly explain why I’d fought with Dean, like I had with John so long ago it seemed… And the deep connection with my little brother. Raising Adam, who shared that blood… The same essence that flowed through Sam’s veins. But it wasn’t that, I’m sure of it. No, Sam was different.

Maybe John had been right… About me being linked with his boys…with his youngest. I’d never really thought about it ‘til just then. Sam was unique…and so was I.

“Now that’s just cute.” I heard Dean chime, which broke my internal dialogue and caused my eyes began to flutter open, soft streams of daylight pooling into the house.

I felt Sam’s chest rise as he sucked in a deep breath, pressing his firm body against me causing my eyes to snap open. I must’ve jumped a little because I felt him shift behind me, so that he was leaning on his right elbow, gazing down at me.

“Oh hey, I’m sorry.” Sam rumbled out, his hair falling down over his eyes as I turned onto my back, looking up into his sleepy face. He looked adorable… “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No, you’re okay.” I growled, my voice very deep due to sleeping hard. “What time is it?” I asked, and felt his left arm move away from my waist so he could run his hand through his hair and check his watch.

It was Dean that answered, “Almost 8:30.” He announced with a smug tone in his voice…which meant he was going to be teasing us about waking up and finding us sleeping next each other.

We, Sam and I, shared a slightly embarrassed look as I motioned for him to sit back so I could sit up.

“Good morning Dean…” I chimed with a snide lilt to my growl of a voice and began to get up…thankfully, my leg had grown a bit stronger and I was able to get up on my own. Standing up straight, I stretched like a cat; back arched, chest pushed out and let out a yawn, ignoring the burning sensation of Dean’s heated gaze.

“Mmhmm… Yes it is…” Was Dean’s husky sounding reply causing me to pause and turn curious eyes toward him, where I found his face hiding behind his coffee cup as he feigned a drink… His gaze however, sparkled mischievously…telling me more than I really wanted to know.

Sam cleared his throat, now standing to my direct right, and broke Dean’s heavy stare from mine. “Where’s Bobby?” He asked barely hiding the fact that he didn’t enjoy the look his big brother was giving me.

Dean shrugged, “Said he had to run a few errands and he’d be back in a few.” He explained and watched as I began to limp slowly, very much like a zombie, across the room into the kitchen, unaided. “You sure it’s a good idea for you to be walkin’ around on your own?”

“Coffee.” Was my snarl of a reply, which was followed by a chorus of low laughter from the boys as I dragged my body into the kitchen and got myself a cup.

“Wow, ain’t she just a bucket of sunshine this morning,” Dean muttered sarcastically as the boys followed me into the kitchen. “what’d you two do last night when I passed out?”

After swallowing the mouthful of coffee I quipped, “you mean after you passed gas…” and paused, my back facing them and heard Sam snort back a laugh.

“What was that?” Dean asked in a careful voice, not sure he’d heard me right.

I turned and leaned my back against the counter. “Huh?” I asked ever so sweetly and watched him blink at me, Sam meanwhile getting himself a cup of coffee…fighting in desperation not to laugh at my reference to Dean’s ass exploding last night.

“You just muttered something.” Dean stated as if he’d caught me.

I continued to play oblivious. “I did?” I asked with my eyes wide and confused.

Sam was starting to giggle…causing Dean to grow a crease of frustration through his brow.

“I don’t know what you two are playin’ at, but ain’t funny.” Dean spat, not liking that he wasn’t in on the joke. “So cut the crap and fess up.”

I let my eyes fall to Sam as he finally turned, leaning against the counter to my left, his lips obviously fighting the urge to smile. “Just something funny we talked about last night.” He lied and I couldn’t help but giggle. This made Sam’s nostrils flare, wanting so badly to laugh…instead he coughed and cleared his throat, “really funny.”

Dean eyed us carefully as if we were holding some terrible secret he really needed Intel on. “It’s about me isn’t it…” He said more of a statement then a question…

I lost it. I couldn’t keep in the laughter anymore and almost dropped my damned coffee but thankfully got it behind me on the counter just in time.

Dean’s eyes bulged at my reaction and only became more confused when Sam joined my hysteria, both of us bustling like hyenas. “The hell did I miss?!” He snapped, completely at a loss as to why we were rolling hysterically.

“Damn it Sammy!” I managed through giggles and it only made it worse.

Without missing a beat, Sam added, “no more beans!” and that caused us to collapse against each other, literally laughing so hard we were red in the face.

Dean just stood there…stunned into silence. He probably thought we’d completely lost our marbles… Because when Sam and I glanced over, seeing his jaw slack and his eyes almost afraid of us, we began snorting and just roared harder.

“What the hell is goin’ on in here?” Bobby announced coming into the kitchen only to witness as I first fell hard onto my ass, followed by Sam shortly after… “Uh…” He just stood next to Dean, his eyes narrowed, “they get into any of my cabinets?”

We began cackling at this point, unable to stop the laughter peeling out of us.

Next thing we knew, Dean began to crack up, our insanity infectious. “Hell if I know Bobby,” he struggled out in reply, “but whatever it is…it’s gotta be some pretty good shit.”

Hearing Dean beginning to snicker and Bobby chuckling despite himself… I shot up, causing everyone to pause and look at me quizzically when I threw my right hand up, index finger extended and announced, “Beans!”

Bobby’s eyes shot wide, his nostrils flared and he let out a deep snort that broke the silence, Dean’s face crumbled, his dumbfounded expression dissolving into hilarity. I met Sam’s sparkling eyes for a moment before we looked back to the Old Hunter and the look on Bobby’s face after he snorted…that did it, causing a cascade effect that drowned the room into thunderous laughter.

I believe it was stress relief…being that everyone had been so anxious and tense for the past two days. We laughed until tears graced everyone’s cheeks…and when Bobby had to sit himself down at the table to get his bearings, we began to calm down or I’m sure there would’ve been permanent brain damage from the lack of oxygen getting to everyone’s brain.

After about five full minutes of madness… I decided to explain why me and Sam had lost it in the first place. “Reason why we started crackin’ up earlier,” I took a breath, my face hurting, “is because last night…Dean’s ass exploded.”

“What?” Dean barked with a surprised laugh and gave me wide eyes. “You’re lying.”

Sam shook his head, the last of his giggles dying away, “No Dean, Dead serious. Your ass didn’t explode it was like a damned foghorn.”

“Okay Damn it! Enough!” Bobby spat with a laugh, “stop before you give this old man a coronary.”

“It wasn’t just the sound but god the smell…” I explained, watching Dean’s unconvinced expression. “I’m sorry honey but I don’t know what you ate…because holy hell it was rank.”

“But that’s not even the best part.” Sam interrupted and I had to struggle for breath because I was giggling again. “You actually said, ‘damn it Sammy…no more beans’ and started snoring again.”

“I didn’t.” Dean retorted in his own defense, even though he was grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh you so did.” I exclaimed and slowly got back on my feet, “darlin’, the smell was so bad we had to go OUTSIDE for awhile just so we could breathe.”

Dean’s brow furrowed at me, “Okay now you’re full of shit.” He tried to counter but Sam spoke up on my behalf.

“Nope, she’s not.” Sam said and stood next to me and took his coffee back from the counter. “You cleared house.”

I’d retrieved my coffee as well and before I took another drink I added, “Hell Bobby, I’m surprised the stink didn’t pull you outta your sleep.”

The look in his eyes told me he was about to make on helluva comment when he said, “If it’s as bad as you two say it was, I’m just lucky to be alive.”

I had thankfully waited to take another drink… Sam and Dean, just weren’t as lucky and damned near choked with laughter.

“Nice one Bobby.” I chimed with a chuckle and then had another drink while the boys fought to not turn a funny shade of purple.

Bobby grinned, “Eh…I try.” He chimed and chuckled to himself as the boys finally regained their composure. “Alright, now that everyone’s breathing, time to talk about a few potential cases.”

This caused everyone to sober. “Nearby?” I asked and Bobby nodded.

“A couple of’em yes, but the other two are southwest of here.” He explained and started going through a few pages he’d brought in, having set them on the kitchen table before our little burst of silliness. “I’ll read’em to you and you let me know which one tickles your fancy.”

As he said this I walked the small distance to the table and took the empty seat to his right. The boys followed suit; Dean to Bobby’s left, across from me and Sam to my right, across from Bobby.

He went over the list and some struck the boys’ curiosity. Bobby knew however, that it took a real nasty kind of case to get my attention…which is why he’d saved the best for last.

“This one, I think you,” he looked to me when he said this, “will find interesting.” Bobby said and instead of reading aloud, he merely handed me the page.

As soon as I skimmed over the strange article… I knew what I was looking at and it made my eyes widen. “My god… Two of’em?” I asked in a quiet tone and felt the boys looking between us, curious.

“Afraid so.” Bobby replied and noticed the odd looks from Sam and Dean. “Incubus, hunting together in the same area for the last several weeks.”

“Where at?” Dean asked and I handed him the paper. His brows shot up, “Phoenix, Arizona?”

“That’s kinda far for me.” I explained, “I have to replace the radiator before I go and take another long trip, especially out to the desert.” I took another drink of my coffee, “I don’t mind stayin’ here while you guys take the job. Besides, I could use the down time.”

“Well you know, I could help you with that.” Dean offered and I shook my head at him.

“It’s all good, I got it. Besides, if I remembered correctly, those Incubi won’t be in that area for much longer.” I said and looked to Bobby, “about another week or so and they’ll move on, right?”

He searched my eyes, knowing that I was never one to just hand over a case. “They’ll take over an area for a month and move on. They’re pretty smart when it comes to coverin’ their tracks. So it’d be best if we left later today.” Bobby explained and met my gaze, “you sure you wanna sit this one out?”

“Well you know you could always ride with Bobby or with us,” Sam began to say and motioned to his brother who nodded in agreement, “you can just leave your car here until we get back.”

I shook my head with a little smile, “Bobby knows I don’t go anywhere without Eleanor.” I replied and tapped the tips of my fingers against the smooth surface of my coffee cup. “And be to perfectly honest… I’m just, not ready yet. I need to…just, take some time to clear my head.”

I could see the compassion on Sam’s face when his jaws clenched and he nodded. “I understand.” He said sounding a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t be going with them.

I would’ve gone…but there were a few things I needed to do. And Bobby knew it wasn’t the radiator. That was an easy job, and normally I wouldn’t just do that but check everything, make sure the fluid levels were good, check the breaks etc…a tune up in a sense, and that could’ve been done in a day. I really needed some time to get my head together and I was still a little sore in my leg, which was nothing but a deep bruise above my kneecap.

I suppose in a way…I needed time to mourn…

* * * *End Part Five* * * *