Lessons Learned, Part 5 (0f 5), Supernatural, Keeper!Verse, NC-17
Fandom: Supernatural, Keeper!Verse
Title: Lessons Learned, Part 5 (All Keeper Verse Here)
Rating: NC-17 (for this partl)
Word Count: 19,000 (total)
Pairings/Characters: Sam/Dean (long term established wincest), John, Dana (Dean's daughter), Scott (OMC), OCs
Summary: Dana gets some help, Scott and John deal with the bad guy, and Sam and Dean celebrate having an empty house again...although a little prematurely. Scott and Dana talk. Lessons are learned.
A/Ns & Warnings: This story pics up shortly after Finally Home. There are five parts, complete. I will be posting the last two parts in a somewhat scattered pattern over the next few days. There is some angst and some schloomp and Dana learning a few lessons, and a little bit of sex and a whole lot of schloomp at the end. As ever in Keeper!verse, thanks go to shotofjack for the beta of awesome and for keeping me sane. *loves*
“Are you following me?”
Scott lowered his book and looked up into the face of his quarry. “Um…no?”
“You don’t sound so sure.” She grinned, pushed her glasses up, then sat beside him. The little café was crowded, and he already knew she was alone. “You’re Scott, right, Dana’s friend?”
He nodded and put the book down. No point in pretending now. “Yeah, I am. And, yeah, I’m kind of following you.”
“Should I be worried?”
He licked his lips. How do you tell someone that their roommate is psychic and thinks you might be in trouble. “Dana was worried about you, thought I could keep an eye out…”
“That’s sweet. Is she doing okay?”
Scott nodded. “Still a little shaken by what happened, but she should be coming back to school soon.”
“Well, I don’t need a bodyguard, Scott. You probably have better things to do. You can stop following me around.”
“Just be careful, you know? Weird people out there and all.”
She smiled brightly. “Tell me about it. There’s this kid in my poetry class who’s convinced he’s some kind of wizard, can put spells on people. Whako!” She rolled her eyes and stood. “Speaking of, I have to get to poetry class. Tell Dana I said hi.”
His phone rang as he waved, and he pulled it out, flipping it open quickly.
“Are you really following Becca around campus?”
“Hello to you too Dana.” He smiled as he put his book back into his bag. “And, no, not any more. She called me on it and is off to her next class without me.”
She sighed in frustration. “I’m sorry. It’s probably nothing. Just another one of my half-baked, still doughy on the inside, ideas that wastes time. Just let it go, okay?”
“Done. I’ve got lecture notes for your classes. You up for me dropping by tonight?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” There was a tired edge to her voice, but Scott figured that with everything she was going through she was allowed to sound tired.
“Okay, I’ll bring them by in a bit.”
Dana paced the room, restless. She’d already broken anything and everything she conceivably could, but the frustration remained. She was aware of the wall that kept her from anything outside her room, grateful on the one hand that she had enough control to recognize it and that she wasn’t disturbing her father and Sam with her temper tantrum, but annoyed on the other because it was necessary, and she couldn’t do more than feel it. She couldn’t feel Sam’s control of it, or anything beyond it.
Not until there was a gentle knock on the door. The wall changed then. Dropped, and in its place was something else. A presence. The door opened and a woman stood on the other side. A petite, bald woman in blue robes.
Do not be afraid. I am Ally. She glided into the room and the door closed soundlessly behind her. I am here to help you.
Dana wasn’t afraid…exactly. She knew the name, had an idea who this woman was.
“Your uncle asked me to come see you.” Ally said, switching to verbal speech. “I have looked forward to meeting you.”
“I…uh…I’m not sure what to say.” She shook her head. “I think I’m glad you came.”
Ally smiled and somehow Dana found it disconcerting. “You think?”
Dana sighed. “I’m kind of a mess. I don’t know what’s going on in here.” She fluttered her hand alongside her head.
“That is to be expected, after your ordeal.”
“To be honest, the thought of letting you…well, anyone, inside here is terrifying.”
“I will not do anything without your permission, Dana. I am bound by oaths to never use my gifts in such a way.”
“Oaths?”
Ally inclined her head. “I am a part of a very select order. We take vows when we join the order, and as we progress in our spiritual journey.” She came close enough to Dana that she could feel the woman’s energy filling the space between them. “A journey you have yet to begin. Will you let me assist you?”
Dana stared into the woman’s eyes, let the calm she radiated wash over her before nodding slowly. “Yes. Please.” She blinked and took a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”
“Come, lay down. Close your eyes and relax, center. I will scan you. Your body first, then your mind. I will work progressively deeper, and when I know all I can know about you and your condition, I will withdraw. I will then discuss with you what I have found, and what course of action I recommend.”
“Okay…Dana’s voice was shaky, but she let Ally take her hand and guide her to the bed. Dana lay down, closing her eyes.
Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I will begin as you draw your next breath.
A calm settled over Dana as Ally’s hands…at least she thought they were her hands, touched her feet and moved slowly over her body. Dana was vaguely aware of the shift from physical to psychic, then a swooping feeling in her stomach…then nothing.
Sam looked up as Ally descended the stairs. She smiled and inclined her head to Sam and then to Dean.
“Your daughter is a remarkable child.” Ally said to Dean. “Very strong, talented. I see much of you in her, Samuel.”
“So…can you help?” Dean asked impatiently.
“There is much to do, and these first days of her gifts returning is critical. I would much prefer to have her in the Sanctuary for what must be done, but it is unwise to move her through populated spaces at the moment. I will remain here.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Dean. Be nice.”
“It is fine, Samuel, your brother is impatient, much as his daughter is. Yes, Dean. I will stay and help Dana recover. I will, however, require some assistance. Her room must be emptied of all but the bed. The window boarded. I will then sanctify the space, make it a place where we can work undisturbed. No one will be allowed in that space but Dana and I once we begin.”
Scott was half way to his car, but something niggled at him. Something Becca had said. The kid who thought he was a wizard. Scott turned and headed toward the Language Arts building, down the stairs. He had a moment to wonder if it was creepy that he knew where her class was, but then found the note on the door saying that the class had been canceled for the evening.
The ugly feeling at the back of his neck got worse. He headed down the hall. The back stairs were closer to the dorms. If she’d headed back to her room, maybe he’d catch her.
He started out at a brisk walk, but before long was jogging, up the stairs and out into the cold Kansas night. It was quiet. He scanned the campus around him, hoping to spot her.
Instead, he spotted a dark spot. Lights were out down near the maintenance shed. He pulled out his phone. “Sam, I have an idea who it is.”
“Where are you?”
“On campus, near the maintenance shed. Lights are out. I…I think he’s got Becca.”
“We’re on our way.”
Scott jammed his phone into his pocket and set off at a run. He’d be damned if he was going to let the son of a bitch get away this time.
Sam threw his phone to Dean. “Call Dad. I think he’s staking out the Grove. Tell him to get down to the maintenance shed.” He turned to Ally. “If you wouldn’t mind staying with Dana?”
“Go Samuel, and mind that he’s not trained, but very strong. You must get underneath before he knows you are there, or he will blind you.”
Sam nodded, grabbing at keys as Dean relayed the information to John. Tires squealed as they pulled out and headed toward the campus.
Scott found them, in the dark shadows behind the shed. Becca’s face was turned away. The bastard was on top of her, already in full swing. She wasn’t moving, except with the jerking movements of his body on top of her.
He fought down the bile and looked around him for a weapon. He knew from his experience with Dana that once he got close enough his vision would be affected, so he had to make the first blow good. He found a fist sized rock and hefted it.
With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Scott flew at them, cocking his arm and snapping it forward when he was close enough. It connected with the back of the bastard’s head and he slumped to the side.
Scott dropped the rock and kicked him, rolling him away from Becca. He landed on his back, his cock hard and covered in a condom. Scott heard footsteps and took a step back. John Winchester nearly ran past him, then stopped. “You get him?”
Scott gestured at the guy who was stirring now. John bent over, fisted his hands in the dark shirt and hefted the guy to his feet, hauling him up and shoving him against the shed. Scott went to his knees beside Becca. Her eyes were open, staring blankly at the grass. His hand shook as he reached for her neck to check for a pulse.
There was nothing. He’d been too late. She was dead.
“Scott.” John’s voice was deep, gruff, demanding. Scott shook his head in answer to the question he hadn’t asked.
The guy was mumbling. Scott’s vision got blurry.
“Like hell.” John hit him hard, across the jaw. The words stopped and John dropped the unconscious man.
“Scott!” Dean’s voice echoed over the campus.
“Over here.” Sam called, rounding the shed. They came crashing to a halt. “Campus police are right behind us.”
Scott stood and wiped his hands self consciously on his jeans, smearing Becca’s blood on himself. “She’s dead. I shouldn’t have stopped. I shouldn’t have let her go alone. Not after she said he was weird. Not after she told me he did spells.” His stomach churned. “I’m gonna be sick.”
Sam pulled him away from the crime scene, held his shoulder while he bent over and threw up. The police were there with lights and shouts and questions. He would have to talk to him.
You noticed the lights were out and you heard a noise. You came to see and found them. Sam’s words filled his head, while his hand squeezed his shoulder.
Scott nodded, wiping his mouth as he stood upright. “Which one of you found them?”
Scott lifted his hand, turning to face the officer. He recognized her from the search in the Grove. “I did. I was headed back to the dorms and saw the lights were out down here.”
“So you came down here alone, rather than contacting maintenance?”
Scott nodded. “I saw a couple of girls head this way, wanted to make sure it was safe.”
She nodded and jotted down notes. “What did you see?”
“He was…she was on the ground and he was on top of her…he was rape-“ He swallowed and looked to Sam. He was going to be sick again. Then, his stomach seemed to settle. “I’m sorry. He was raping her…but I think…I think she was already dead.”
“And what did you do?”
“I hit him. With a rock. He fell over. I checked on her, but there was no pulse.”
“Do you know either of them?”
Scott nodded. “Becca Brolin. She was my girlfriend’s roommate.”
Dana sat upright in bed, covered in sweat as the dream played over and over in her head. Becca was dead. She knew it.
And it was her fault.
She’d told Scott to let her go. She’d believed it was just a regular dream, and not one of those dreams. Her fault.
“You are not responsible for her death.” Dana turned to find Ally in the doorway. “The man who killed her is responsible.”
“But I knew. I saw it happen two days ago. I saw it happen last night. I knew. I should have done something.”
Ally stepped closer. “What is it you would have done?”
Dana crossed her arms. “Protect her.”
“You could not have protected her. You would only have given him a second chance to kill you.”
“Better me than her.” Dana said.
“Do you truly believe that?”
Dana pouted. “I don’t know.”
“Words have power Dana, even more so with one such as you. What you speak becomes real, if only in your own mind. Do you believe your life is worth less than that of this girl?”
“No, not really.” Dana sighed. “She was…innocent. A good person.”
“And her death resulted in the capture of her killer. Is that not a noble thing?”
“Noble?” Dana threw off her sheet and stood. “Noble? She was blinded and deafened, her skin desensitized. She was beaten and thrown to the ground, and while she lay dying, he raped her. How is anything about that noble?”
She stared at the smaller woman, but Ally didn’t back down. Didn’t even flinch. “Is your fear and indignation for Becca or for yourself?” she inquired softly.
Dana blinked, staring back at her. She swallowed, looked away. “I don’t know.”
“There is much you do not yet know, Dana. Much you must learn. Much more you can learn, if you choose. It is not an easy path. Once you have stepped foot to this path, going back is not an option. ”
Dana chewed on a fingernail. “What path?”
“The one that leads to full mastery of the gifts to which you were born.”
“What if…what if I don’t want it?”
“That too is your choice. Your gifts can be sequestered. Repressed. As Samuel’s were when he was young.”
“I’d be normal?” Dana dropped her hand and looked at Ally, not sure why she was asking.
Ally inclined her head. “Such as normal is.”
If she were normal, she could be with Scott and not worry about her freak factor freaking him out. She wouldn’t have to hide who she was from her friends. She wouldn’t have to watch people die in her dreams.
But then, they’d still die. She just wouldn’t see it. Wouldn’t have a chance to save them.
If she were normal, Sam would be dead. Her father would be dead. She’d be alone.
Dana didn’t want to be normal.
“So…how do we do this?”
Ally smiled softly. “We begin at the beginning.”
Sam watched from the porch as Dana and Ally worked through a familiar kata in the open space of the back yard. Despite the cold temperatures, they were both dressed lightly, moving in perfect synchronization through the complex steps. Dana held several objects in mid-air, spinning them in different directions.
A light sheen of sweat gleamed on her forehead and Sam could only barely trace the strands of thought that kept the dance afloat. Her shielding technique had improved drastically, and her power was growing at levels he hadn’t seen since she was a child.
They finished the rotation and everything settled back into place. Dana returned to the first position and bowed to Ally.
“Very nicely done, Dana. Do you agree Samuel?”
He smiled broadly and stepped off the porch. “Yes, very nice. I’m impressed.”
Dana took the towel he tossed her and tried to shrug it off, but he could tell she was pleased with the praise. “I’m no where near as good as Ally at it. But I’m getting the hang of it.”
“The progress is promising. I hope to see you will continue.”
Dana nodded and scrunched her nose. “I will. I made a promise.”
“Does that mean you will be leaving us?” Sam asked as they headed inside.
“I have been away from the retreat a long while. It is time I return home.”
“I wish I knew how to thank you.” Dana said. “I never had this kind of control. I never knew I could.”
“You are a good student, and that is all the thanks a teacher needs. That and the fulfillment of your oath.”
Dana blushed a little and looked at Sam. “I told Ally I’d spend the summer at the retreat.”
Sam smiled broadly. “That’s really good Dana. I’m proud of you.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’m planning on taking vows or anything. I just…want to learn more.”
“You are welcome as well, Samuel. Any time.”
“Thank you Ally. I appreciate the offer.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I need a shower and a change of clothes before I go.”
When she was gone behind the bathroom door, Sam slung an arm around Dana’s shoulders. “Need me to take the edge off the pain?” He nodded toward her wrist, still in its splint.
She shook her head. “No, I’ve got it.”
“I really am proud of you kiddo.” He kissed her forehead.
“I’m kinda proud of me too.” Dana admitted. “I mean…it’s only been three weeks, but…I feel stronger, better.”
“Ready to go back to your dorm?” Dean’s voice asked from the kitchen doorway.
Dana grinned and turned to hug him tightly. “Yes, I will be leaving you two randy lovebirds to your solitude so you can go back to your wicked ways.”
“Back to? We barely got started and Scott moved in.”
She kissed his nose, then turned on her toes and headed for the stairs, waving her hand. Sam chuckled and took his turn to slide his hands around Dean’s waist and pull him into a hug. “It’s good to hear her laugh like that again.”
Dean pulled him back, into the kitchen. “Good to hear I get to fuck you anytime I want soon.”
“Soon? How ‘bout now?”
Dean raised an eyebrow. “They’re still here.”
Sam kept them moving until Dean’s back was against the refrigerator, then his hand cupped to Dean’s dick. “So be quiet.” Sam said playfully, kissing him as his hand massaged his cock through the denim of his jeans.
“Sam…” It was half growl of lust, half warning and Sam chose to see it as an invitation to take the next step, yanking his zipper down and wrapping a hand around Dean. His cock surged in his hand, hardening fast and Sam grinned as their mouths came together.
So damn easy.
Dean only groaned in response, then moaned deep and low as Sam went to his knees and sucked his cock into his mouth. It had been a while since they’d had time to really take care of the need between them, and this would only sate them for a while, but when Sam sucked in hard and deep and Dean’s fingers weaved through his hair, Sam moaned himself at the heat already building.
It would be over fast, judging from the way Dean’s mouth kept a running litany of SamSamSamSammySamSam as Sam licked and sucked. Sam doubled the dampening wall he’d thrown up around the kitchen as Dean neared orgasm, then flicked at his balls with a bit of mental tongue action and that was it. Dean thrust forward, coming in great big spurts down Sam’s throat.
Sam swallowed and licked him clean, then looked up at him. The eyebrow was still in full arch, and his grin was wicked. Sam stood, pressing Dean into the fridge and claiming his mouth. “Gonna fuck you in every room of the house once I have you alone,” Dean growled in his ear.
Sam nipped at his neck, and tucked him back into his jeans. “We better go say goodbye to Ally.”
“You better rinse your mouth. You stink like sex.”
The dorm room was quiet. Becca’s bed was stripped bare. Her belongings gone. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since Dana had stood there last. There was a vague remnant of the girl Dana had only barely gotten to know…a sort of psychic fingerprint that lingered at the desk where she’d worked.
Dana trailed a hand over the wood. “I’m sorry.”
Maybe it wasn’t her fault, but Dana had liked Becca. And no one deserved to die like that. Ally had told her that the killer would be rendered unable to kill again. She didn’t elaborate on how or by whom.
For the first time in her life, Dana was okay with not knowing. He was a human being and he would stand trial. And that was enough.
She turned as someone knocked on the door, smiling when Scott opened it. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
He came in and closed the door. “Sam said you were back.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” She took his hand and drew him to the bed, guiding him to sit. “I have a few things I need to tell you. I want us to start over again. And I want to be totally honest with you. I’m terrified, but I want you to know everything.”
“Dana-“
She held up her hands. “I worked on this, and I should start with the whole psychic thing. There’s a lot you don’t know.”
“Dana-“
“And the boys. The other boys, I mean.” She chewed on her lip. “All the way back to Travis.”
“Dana. Stop.” Scott stood, caught her hands. “Just stop.”
“I need you to know.” Dana said, feeling the tears building. She’d changed so much and she loved him so deep in her stomach that the idea that he wouldn’t want her after she told him was like a knife twisting inside her.
He kissed her softly. When she started to talk again, he kissed her again. “You talk too much, you know that?”
She nodded, biting her lip. “It is one of the lessons I’ve learned recently.”
“How about you let me say something first. Before you start again.”
“Okay.”
“I love you.” Scott said, emphasizing his last word with his lips and tongue. “I love you and I don’t care about other boys or psychic shit or demons or stuff that floats. I don’t care about your fathers or the ghost stuff. I love you. I want to be with you.”
Dana could feel her control slipping, her happiness flowing out around her and making things float. She took a deep breath and concentrated on lowering everything. “Yeah?”
Scott nodded, licking at her lips until she opened them for him. “Yeah.”
“Okay.” Dana kissed him back, melting against him. His kiss was warm and comforting. She’d forgotten how good he was at the kissing part.
Scott drew her to the bed, sat them both down. “I just…I want to start over too. Take it slow.”
Dana didn’t care, she’d give him anything he wanted. She was so happy he wanted her. “Like, dating?”
Scott smiled and Dana felt like she might swoon from the sheer joy. “Like dating.” His fingers threaded through hers. “Long walks and hand holding and coffee after movies.”
Dana sighed a little and looked at their joined hands. “I think I like that.”
They were quiet for a minute, then Scott cleared his throat. “From this point forward, I need for you to be honest from me. I realize why you hid things from me before, but I’m in it all the way now. Don’t try to protect me or assume I can’t handle something. Okay?”
“I hated lying to you.” Dana said. “Hated it. Honesty, straight up truth from here on out,” she promised solemnly.
He nodded. “Okay, that was one of the hard ones. Here’s the other. Your gifts.” He cleared his throat and looked up at her. “I have a better understanding of them now, and what they mean to you, and I won’t begin to guess how they work, but I want you to promise me that you’ll work at them, get better, stronger…I was so terrified, Dana…when you couldn’t control them, and I don’t want to be afraid of you.”
She squeezed his hand, then raised it to kiss. “I promise not only to work at them, but to be more responsible with how I use them…no more dark stuff. No more casual reading. I do my learning the old fashioned way and I use my gifts to help people.”
His smile was brilliant. She found herself grinning until her cheeks hurt. Scott kissed her, soft, warm. Dana sighed against his lips. “I want what my father has with Sam, Scott.” Dana said softly. “I want that kind of love in my life. I want you to be my Sam.”
“I think in this scenario, I’m Dean…you’re Sam.” Scott replied playfully.
Dana rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. No more party-girl. No more flirting. I only need you.”
“I think I like that.” Scott said, repeating her own words back to her.
“I know I’m not perfect. I have a lot to learn.”
Scott nodded, his eyes bright. “And I’ll give you the space to learn it.”
“I’m so happy.” Dana smiled, blinking at a wave of emotion that threatened to spill out of her eyes.
Scott stood, kissing her forehead. “I have studying to do. And you have a lot of catch up to do. I should go.” She followed him to the door, where he stopped and turned. “I hear the campus theater is doing a zombie movie marathon this weekend. Would you like to try that whole going on a date thing?”
Him and his zombies. She nodded. “I’d like that a lot.”
“I’ll buy the tickets, you buy the popcorn?”
She grinned. “You’re on.”
“See you tomorrow.” He kissed her, then slipped out the door.
She was alone again, but somehow it didn’t feel quiet as lonely as it did before.
Dana crossed to the desk where her stack of make up work waited. There were still lessons to be learned.
Title: Lessons Learned, Part 5 (All Keeper Verse Here)
Rating: NC-17 (for this partl)
Word Count: 19,000 (total)
Pairings/Characters: Sam/Dean (long term established wincest), John, Dana (Dean's daughter), Scott (OMC), OCs
Summary: Dana gets some help, Scott and John deal with the bad guy, and Sam and Dean celebrate having an empty house again...although a little prematurely. Scott and Dana talk. Lessons are learned.
A/Ns & Warnings: This story pics up shortly after Finally Home. There are five parts, complete. I will be posting the last two parts in a somewhat scattered pattern over the next few days. There is some angst and some schloomp and Dana learning a few lessons, and a little bit of sex and a whole lot of schloomp at the end. As ever in Keeper!verse, thanks go to shotofjack for the beta of awesome and for keeping me sane. *loves*
“Are you following me?”
Scott lowered his book and looked up into the face of his quarry. “Um…no?”
“You don’t sound so sure.” She grinned, pushed her glasses up, then sat beside him. The little café was crowded, and he already knew she was alone. “You’re Scott, right, Dana’s friend?”
He nodded and put the book down. No point in pretending now. “Yeah, I am. And, yeah, I’m kind of following you.”
“Should I be worried?”
He licked his lips. How do you tell someone that their roommate is psychic and thinks you might be in trouble. “Dana was worried about you, thought I could keep an eye out…”
“That’s sweet. Is she doing okay?”
Scott nodded. “Still a little shaken by what happened, but she should be coming back to school soon.”
“Well, I don’t need a bodyguard, Scott. You probably have better things to do. You can stop following me around.”
“Just be careful, you know? Weird people out there and all.”
She smiled brightly. “Tell me about it. There’s this kid in my poetry class who’s convinced he’s some kind of wizard, can put spells on people. Whako!” She rolled her eyes and stood. “Speaking of, I have to get to poetry class. Tell Dana I said hi.”
His phone rang as he waved, and he pulled it out, flipping it open quickly.
“Are you really following Becca around campus?”
“Hello to you too Dana.” He smiled as he put his book back into his bag. “And, no, not any more. She called me on it and is off to her next class without me.”
She sighed in frustration. “I’m sorry. It’s probably nothing. Just another one of my half-baked, still doughy on the inside, ideas that wastes time. Just let it go, okay?”
“Done. I’ve got lecture notes for your classes. You up for me dropping by tonight?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” There was a tired edge to her voice, but Scott figured that with everything she was going through she was allowed to sound tired.
“Okay, I’ll bring them by in a bit.”
Dana paced the room, restless. She’d already broken anything and everything she conceivably could, but the frustration remained. She was aware of the wall that kept her from anything outside her room, grateful on the one hand that she had enough control to recognize it and that she wasn’t disturbing her father and Sam with her temper tantrum, but annoyed on the other because it was necessary, and she couldn’t do more than feel it. She couldn’t feel Sam’s control of it, or anything beyond it.
Not until there was a gentle knock on the door. The wall changed then. Dropped, and in its place was something else. A presence. The door opened and a woman stood on the other side. A petite, bald woman in blue robes.
Do not be afraid. I am Ally. She glided into the room and the door closed soundlessly behind her. I am here to help you.
Dana wasn’t afraid…exactly. She knew the name, had an idea who this woman was.
“Your uncle asked me to come see you.” Ally said, switching to verbal speech. “I have looked forward to meeting you.”
“I…uh…I’m not sure what to say.” She shook her head. “I think I’m glad you came.”
Ally smiled and somehow Dana found it disconcerting. “You think?”
Dana sighed. “I’m kind of a mess. I don’t know what’s going on in here.” She fluttered her hand alongside her head.
“That is to be expected, after your ordeal.”
“To be honest, the thought of letting you…well, anyone, inside here is terrifying.”
“I will not do anything without your permission, Dana. I am bound by oaths to never use my gifts in such a way.”
“Oaths?”
Ally inclined her head. “I am a part of a very select order. We take vows when we join the order, and as we progress in our spiritual journey.” She came close enough to Dana that she could feel the woman’s energy filling the space between them. “A journey you have yet to begin. Will you let me assist you?”
Dana stared into the woman’s eyes, let the calm she radiated wash over her before nodding slowly. “Yes. Please.” She blinked and took a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”
“Come, lay down. Close your eyes and relax, center. I will scan you. Your body first, then your mind. I will work progressively deeper, and when I know all I can know about you and your condition, I will withdraw. I will then discuss with you what I have found, and what course of action I recommend.”
“Okay…Dana’s voice was shaky, but she let Ally take her hand and guide her to the bed. Dana lay down, closing her eyes.
Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I will begin as you draw your next breath.
A calm settled over Dana as Ally’s hands…at least she thought they were her hands, touched her feet and moved slowly over her body. Dana was vaguely aware of the shift from physical to psychic, then a swooping feeling in her stomach…then nothing.
Sam looked up as Ally descended the stairs. She smiled and inclined her head to Sam and then to Dean.
“Your daughter is a remarkable child.” Ally said to Dean. “Very strong, talented. I see much of you in her, Samuel.”
“So…can you help?” Dean asked impatiently.
“There is much to do, and these first days of her gifts returning is critical. I would much prefer to have her in the Sanctuary for what must be done, but it is unwise to move her through populated spaces at the moment. I will remain here.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Dean. Be nice.”
“It is fine, Samuel, your brother is impatient, much as his daughter is. Yes, Dean. I will stay and help Dana recover. I will, however, require some assistance. Her room must be emptied of all but the bed. The window boarded. I will then sanctify the space, make it a place where we can work undisturbed. No one will be allowed in that space but Dana and I once we begin.”
Scott was half way to his car, but something niggled at him. Something Becca had said. The kid who thought he was a wizard. Scott turned and headed toward the Language Arts building, down the stairs. He had a moment to wonder if it was creepy that he knew where her class was, but then found the note on the door saying that the class had been canceled for the evening.
The ugly feeling at the back of his neck got worse. He headed down the hall. The back stairs were closer to the dorms. If she’d headed back to her room, maybe he’d catch her.
He started out at a brisk walk, but before long was jogging, up the stairs and out into the cold Kansas night. It was quiet. He scanned the campus around him, hoping to spot her.
Instead, he spotted a dark spot. Lights were out down near the maintenance shed. He pulled out his phone. “Sam, I have an idea who it is.”
“Where are you?”
“On campus, near the maintenance shed. Lights are out. I…I think he’s got Becca.”
“We’re on our way.”
Scott jammed his phone into his pocket and set off at a run. He’d be damned if he was going to let the son of a bitch get away this time.
Sam threw his phone to Dean. “Call Dad. I think he’s staking out the Grove. Tell him to get down to the maintenance shed.” He turned to Ally. “If you wouldn’t mind staying with Dana?”
“Go Samuel, and mind that he’s not trained, but very strong. You must get underneath before he knows you are there, or he will blind you.”
Sam nodded, grabbing at keys as Dean relayed the information to John. Tires squealed as they pulled out and headed toward the campus.
Scott found them, in the dark shadows behind the shed. Becca’s face was turned away. The bastard was on top of her, already in full swing. She wasn’t moving, except with the jerking movements of his body on top of her.
He fought down the bile and looked around him for a weapon. He knew from his experience with Dana that once he got close enough his vision would be affected, so he had to make the first blow good. He found a fist sized rock and hefted it.
With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Scott flew at them, cocking his arm and snapping it forward when he was close enough. It connected with the back of the bastard’s head and he slumped to the side.
Scott dropped the rock and kicked him, rolling him away from Becca. He landed on his back, his cock hard and covered in a condom. Scott heard footsteps and took a step back. John Winchester nearly ran past him, then stopped. “You get him?”
Scott gestured at the guy who was stirring now. John bent over, fisted his hands in the dark shirt and hefted the guy to his feet, hauling him up and shoving him against the shed. Scott went to his knees beside Becca. Her eyes were open, staring blankly at the grass. His hand shook as he reached for her neck to check for a pulse.
There was nothing. He’d been too late. She was dead.
“Scott.” John’s voice was deep, gruff, demanding. Scott shook his head in answer to the question he hadn’t asked.
The guy was mumbling. Scott’s vision got blurry.
“Like hell.” John hit him hard, across the jaw. The words stopped and John dropped the unconscious man.
“Scott!” Dean’s voice echoed over the campus.
“Over here.” Sam called, rounding the shed. They came crashing to a halt. “Campus police are right behind us.”
Scott stood and wiped his hands self consciously on his jeans, smearing Becca’s blood on himself. “She’s dead. I shouldn’t have stopped. I shouldn’t have let her go alone. Not after she said he was weird. Not after she told me he did spells.” His stomach churned. “I’m gonna be sick.”
Sam pulled him away from the crime scene, held his shoulder while he bent over and threw up. The police were there with lights and shouts and questions. He would have to talk to him.
You noticed the lights were out and you heard a noise. You came to see and found them. Sam’s words filled his head, while his hand squeezed his shoulder.
Scott nodded, wiping his mouth as he stood upright. “Which one of you found them?”
Scott lifted his hand, turning to face the officer. He recognized her from the search in the Grove. “I did. I was headed back to the dorms and saw the lights were out down here.”
“So you came down here alone, rather than contacting maintenance?”
Scott nodded. “I saw a couple of girls head this way, wanted to make sure it was safe.”
She nodded and jotted down notes. “What did you see?”
“He was…she was on the ground and he was on top of her…he was rape-“ He swallowed and looked to Sam. He was going to be sick again. Then, his stomach seemed to settle. “I’m sorry. He was raping her…but I think…I think she was already dead.”
“And what did you do?”
“I hit him. With a rock. He fell over. I checked on her, but there was no pulse.”
“Do you know either of them?”
Scott nodded. “Becca Brolin. She was my girlfriend’s roommate.”
Dana sat upright in bed, covered in sweat as the dream played over and over in her head. Becca was dead. She knew it.
And it was her fault.
She’d told Scott to let her go. She’d believed it was just a regular dream, and not one of those dreams. Her fault.
“You are not responsible for her death.” Dana turned to find Ally in the doorway. “The man who killed her is responsible.”
“But I knew. I saw it happen two days ago. I saw it happen last night. I knew. I should have done something.”
Ally stepped closer. “What is it you would have done?”
Dana crossed her arms. “Protect her.”
“You could not have protected her. You would only have given him a second chance to kill you.”
“Better me than her.” Dana said.
“Do you truly believe that?”
Dana pouted. “I don’t know.”
“Words have power Dana, even more so with one such as you. What you speak becomes real, if only in your own mind. Do you believe your life is worth less than that of this girl?”
“No, not really.” Dana sighed. “She was…innocent. A good person.”
“And her death resulted in the capture of her killer. Is that not a noble thing?”
“Noble?” Dana threw off her sheet and stood. “Noble? She was blinded and deafened, her skin desensitized. She was beaten and thrown to the ground, and while she lay dying, he raped her. How is anything about that noble?”
She stared at the smaller woman, but Ally didn’t back down. Didn’t even flinch. “Is your fear and indignation for Becca or for yourself?” she inquired softly.
Dana blinked, staring back at her. She swallowed, looked away. “I don’t know.”
“There is much you do not yet know, Dana. Much you must learn. Much more you can learn, if you choose. It is not an easy path. Once you have stepped foot to this path, going back is not an option. ”
Dana chewed on a fingernail. “What path?”
“The one that leads to full mastery of the gifts to which you were born.”
“What if…what if I don’t want it?”
“That too is your choice. Your gifts can be sequestered. Repressed. As Samuel’s were when he was young.”
“I’d be normal?” Dana dropped her hand and looked at Ally, not sure why she was asking.
Ally inclined her head. “Such as normal is.”
If she were normal, she could be with Scott and not worry about her freak factor freaking him out. She wouldn’t have to hide who she was from her friends. She wouldn’t have to watch people die in her dreams.
But then, they’d still die. She just wouldn’t see it. Wouldn’t have a chance to save them.
If she were normal, Sam would be dead. Her father would be dead. She’d be alone.
Dana didn’t want to be normal.
“So…how do we do this?”
Ally smiled softly. “We begin at the beginning.”
Sam watched from the porch as Dana and Ally worked through a familiar kata in the open space of the back yard. Despite the cold temperatures, they were both dressed lightly, moving in perfect synchronization through the complex steps. Dana held several objects in mid-air, spinning them in different directions.
A light sheen of sweat gleamed on her forehead and Sam could only barely trace the strands of thought that kept the dance afloat. Her shielding technique had improved drastically, and her power was growing at levels he hadn’t seen since she was a child.
They finished the rotation and everything settled back into place. Dana returned to the first position and bowed to Ally.
“Very nicely done, Dana. Do you agree Samuel?”
He smiled broadly and stepped off the porch. “Yes, very nice. I’m impressed.”
Dana took the towel he tossed her and tried to shrug it off, but he could tell she was pleased with the praise. “I’m no where near as good as Ally at it. But I’m getting the hang of it.”
“The progress is promising. I hope to see you will continue.”
Dana nodded and scrunched her nose. “I will. I made a promise.”
“Does that mean you will be leaving us?” Sam asked as they headed inside.
“I have been away from the retreat a long while. It is time I return home.”
“I wish I knew how to thank you.” Dana said. “I never had this kind of control. I never knew I could.”
“You are a good student, and that is all the thanks a teacher needs. That and the fulfillment of your oath.”
Dana blushed a little and looked at Sam. “I told Ally I’d spend the summer at the retreat.”
Sam smiled broadly. “That’s really good Dana. I’m proud of you.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’m planning on taking vows or anything. I just…want to learn more.”
“You are welcome as well, Samuel. Any time.”
“Thank you Ally. I appreciate the offer.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I need a shower and a change of clothes before I go.”
When she was gone behind the bathroom door, Sam slung an arm around Dana’s shoulders. “Need me to take the edge off the pain?” He nodded toward her wrist, still in its splint.
She shook her head. “No, I’ve got it.”
“I really am proud of you kiddo.” He kissed her forehead.
“I’m kinda proud of me too.” Dana admitted. “I mean…it’s only been three weeks, but…I feel stronger, better.”
“Ready to go back to your dorm?” Dean’s voice asked from the kitchen doorway.
Dana grinned and turned to hug him tightly. “Yes, I will be leaving you two randy lovebirds to your solitude so you can go back to your wicked ways.”
“Back to? We barely got started and Scott moved in.”
She kissed his nose, then turned on her toes and headed for the stairs, waving her hand. Sam chuckled and took his turn to slide his hands around Dean’s waist and pull him into a hug. “It’s good to hear her laugh like that again.”
Dean pulled him back, into the kitchen. “Good to hear I get to fuck you anytime I want soon.”
“Soon? How ‘bout now?”
Dean raised an eyebrow. “They’re still here.”
Sam kept them moving until Dean’s back was against the refrigerator, then his hand cupped to Dean’s dick. “So be quiet.” Sam said playfully, kissing him as his hand massaged his cock through the denim of his jeans.
“Sam…” It was half growl of lust, half warning and Sam chose to see it as an invitation to take the next step, yanking his zipper down and wrapping a hand around Dean. His cock surged in his hand, hardening fast and Sam grinned as their mouths came together.
So damn easy.
Dean only groaned in response, then moaned deep and low as Sam went to his knees and sucked his cock into his mouth. It had been a while since they’d had time to really take care of the need between them, and this would only sate them for a while, but when Sam sucked in hard and deep and Dean’s fingers weaved through his hair, Sam moaned himself at the heat already building.
It would be over fast, judging from the way Dean’s mouth kept a running litany of SamSamSamSammySamSam as Sam licked and sucked. Sam doubled the dampening wall he’d thrown up around the kitchen as Dean neared orgasm, then flicked at his balls with a bit of mental tongue action and that was it. Dean thrust forward, coming in great big spurts down Sam’s throat.
Sam swallowed and licked him clean, then looked up at him. The eyebrow was still in full arch, and his grin was wicked. Sam stood, pressing Dean into the fridge and claiming his mouth. “Gonna fuck you in every room of the house once I have you alone,” Dean growled in his ear.
Sam nipped at his neck, and tucked him back into his jeans. “We better go say goodbye to Ally.”
“You better rinse your mouth. You stink like sex.”
The dorm room was quiet. Becca’s bed was stripped bare. Her belongings gone. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since Dana had stood there last. There was a vague remnant of the girl Dana had only barely gotten to know…a sort of psychic fingerprint that lingered at the desk where she’d worked.
Dana trailed a hand over the wood. “I’m sorry.”
Maybe it wasn’t her fault, but Dana had liked Becca. And no one deserved to die like that. Ally had told her that the killer would be rendered unable to kill again. She didn’t elaborate on how or by whom.
For the first time in her life, Dana was okay with not knowing. He was a human being and he would stand trial. And that was enough.
She turned as someone knocked on the door, smiling when Scott opened it. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
He came in and closed the door. “Sam said you were back.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” She took his hand and drew him to the bed, guiding him to sit. “I have a few things I need to tell you. I want us to start over again. And I want to be totally honest with you. I’m terrified, but I want you to know everything.”
“Dana-“
She held up her hands. “I worked on this, and I should start with the whole psychic thing. There’s a lot you don’t know.”
“Dana-“
“And the boys. The other boys, I mean.” She chewed on her lip. “All the way back to Travis.”
“Dana. Stop.” Scott stood, caught her hands. “Just stop.”
“I need you to know.” Dana said, feeling the tears building. She’d changed so much and she loved him so deep in her stomach that the idea that he wouldn’t want her after she told him was like a knife twisting inside her.
He kissed her softly. When she started to talk again, he kissed her again. “You talk too much, you know that?”
She nodded, biting her lip. “It is one of the lessons I’ve learned recently.”
“How about you let me say something first. Before you start again.”
“Okay.”
“I love you.” Scott said, emphasizing his last word with his lips and tongue. “I love you and I don’t care about other boys or psychic shit or demons or stuff that floats. I don’t care about your fathers or the ghost stuff. I love you. I want to be with you.”
Dana could feel her control slipping, her happiness flowing out around her and making things float. She took a deep breath and concentrated on lowering everything. “Yeah?”
Scott nodded, licking at her lips until she opened them for him. “Yeah.”
“Okay.” Dana kissed him back, melting against him. His kiss was warm and comforting. She’d forgotten how good he was at the kissing part.
Scott drew her to the bed, sat them both down. “I just…I want to start over too. Take it slow.”
Dana didn’t care, she’d give him anything he wanted. She was so happy he wanted her. “Like, dating?”
Scott smiled and Dana felt like she might swoon from the sheer joy. “Like dating.” His fingers threaded through hers. “Long walks and hand holding and coffee after movies.”
Dana sighed a little and looked at their joined hands. “I think I like that.”
They were quiet for a minute, then Scott cleared his throat. “From this point forward, I need for you to be honest from me. I realize why you hid things from me before, but I’m in it all the way now. Don’t try to protect me or assume I can’t handle something. Okay?”
“I hated lying to you.” Dana said. “Hated it. Honesty, straight up truth from here on out,” she promised solemnly.
He nodded. “Okay, that was one of the hard ones. Here’s the other. Your gifts.” He cleared his throat and looked up at her. “I have a better understanding of them now, and what they mean to you, and I won’t begin to guess how they work, but I want you to promise me that you’ll work at them, get better, stronger…I was so terrified, Dana…when you couldn’t control them, and I don’t want to be afraid of you.”
She squeezed his hand, then raised it to kiss. “I promise not only to work at them, but to be more responsible with how I use them…no more dark stuff. No more casual reading. I do my learning the old fashioned way and I use my gifts to help people.”
His smile was brilliant. She found herself grinning until her cheeks hurt. Scott kissed her, soft, warm. Dana sighed against his lips. “I want what my father has with Sam, Scott.” Dana said softly. “I want that kind of love in my life. I want you to be my Sam.”
“I think in this scenario, I’m Dean…you’re Sam.” Scott replied playfully.
Dana rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. No more party-girl. No more flirting. I only need you.”
“I think I like that.” Scott said, repeating her own words back to her.
“I know I’m not perfect. I have a lot to learn.”
Scott nodded, his eyes bright. “And I’ll give you the space to learn it.”
“I’m so happy.” Dana smiled, blinking at a wave of emotion that threatened to spill out of her eyes.
Scott stood, kissing her forehead. “I have studying to do. And you have a lot of catch up to do. I should go.” She followed him to the door, where he stopped and turned. “I hear the campus theater is doing a zombie movie marathon this weekend. Would you like to try that whole going on a date thing?”
Him and his zombies. She nodded. “I’d like that a lot.”
“I’ll buy the tickets, you buy the popcorn?”
She grinned. “You’re on.”
“See you tomorrow.” He kissed her, then slipped out the door.
She was alone again, but somehow it didn’t feel quiet as lonely as it did before.
Dana crossed to the desk where her stack of make up work waited. There were still lessons to be learned.