All That Matters, (6/?), [R], Dean/OFC_Sam/OFC_Bobby, AUseason 6
Title: All That Matters (6/?)
Rating: R
Genre: Gen,Rom,Dram,Action, Supernatural
Characters/Pairings: Dean/OFC, Sam/OFC, Bobby, Cas- other characters(original)
Summary: Ava didn't always dream of being a hunter, but it was her destiny according to the Heavens. Now- her family taken from her forever- she carries on her reckless attitude as she presses on with the 'family business', alone. What she doesn't expect to find are two brothers who care very much about what happens to her. And she'll come to learn that sometimes family isn't always blood.
Warnings: AU Season 6 - Contains some spoilers for those not up to date.
Word Count: 3444 (give or take)
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any of the characters.
a/n: Bold italics are memories/past events
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"You were about to shoot him Aaron! The man wasn't possessed…you were about to kill an innocent man. Doesn't that bother you?" I slammed the door to the motel room we had been living in for the past three weeks. Tracking down this damn demon was harder than either of us expected. Staying in this dump was beginning to wear on both of us. I was beginning to think I was going crazy. Aaron wasn't acting like himself. It was time to call Bobby and tell him we were taking a break.
"He had information. This is how the whole interrogation process works." I watched him, my arms crossed, anger laced my tired face. He laid his 9mm and also two of his knives that he kept on his person onto the table beside the TV. He glanced up in the mirror at my reflection, "I don't know why you're upset. Dad used to do the exact same thing."
"He didn't."
He turned around with a smile on his face, "I helped Ava…trust me. Torture I can do. Daddy wasn't innocent and all righteous like you think."
I shook my head frustrated, "You are such a fucking liar. I'm so tired of this shit…what's wrong with you?"
I stepped forward and held my ground. This game that he was playing was over. We had been at each other's throats for two weeks. Cutting my losses and leaving his sorry ass here was really starting to look good. He shifted his eyes toward the door and I saw a flash of black. Black? No, it couldn't be…could it? I watched as he shoved off of the table and strolled calmly toward the door. He turned the deadbolt and locked the chain securely. My eyes flickered to the knife then back at him. He was staring at me now…eyes solid black.
"You're not Aaron," I said backing away. He smiled. I felt a shiver spread down my back. I pulled my knife from my side and with a flick of his wrist it flying. I felt my hands shaking as I fumbled on the table next to me for the bottle of holy water.
"Give the girl a prize." He picked up the knife that lay beside the tv as he neared me. It scrapped the wood making me wince. "I've been waiting forever for you to figure this out."
I picked up the bottle of holy water and threw it on him as I began reciting, "Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursion…"
He laughed. He freaking laughed. He suddenly flicked his wrist again and this time I felt myself being thrown against the wall. I struggled to free myself, but froze when I felt the blade run over my chest down across my stomach, "This will be a lot of fun for me…since I have big brother watching."
I sat up quickly gasping for air; tears were running down my face. I quickly wiped them away as the knocking on my door continued, "Ava?"
I shoved the covers back and let out a shaky breath before opening the door. Dean had an odd look on his face. I let my eyes drop down to his bare chest as he whispered, "Are you okay? I was awake…heard you yelling…crying."
I sighed walking away toward the bed. I flipped on the light slowly as I started to question my own sanity too. No, not okay. I slouched down on the bed and let the tears roll down my face freely. Dean closed the door before joining me. "I'm okay…just a nightmare."
He nodded silently as he placed a hand on my bare shoulder. If I had known I was going to have a nightmare I would have worn more than just a spaghetti strap shirt and pair of yoga shorts. I shook my head and let out a cry, "I'm not okay…"
I leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around me tightly, "It's okay. I've got you."
"I didn't mean to kill him…I didn't mean to kill him." He rocked me as he ran his hand over my hair again and again. I shook my head, "He told me too. I didn't know what else to do. I was just doing what I was told. I didn't know…"
"You're gonna be all right." He hugged me tighter and pressed his lips to the top of my head. I could feel the tears rolling down my face and neck. I had been carrying so much guilt for my brother's death for so long. The only one that knew the whole story was Bobby. He was the one that pried the gun from my hands hours later. He was the one that cleaned me up. He was the one that cleaned up the 'mess' that I had made. He was the only one that seemed to care about me. Shawn said that I had done the one and only right thing. Kendra agreed. "Ava…"
"My brother. I killed my brother," I pushed away from him, scooting myself along the creaking bed. My eyes drifted to the hand print on his arm. I had never seen it, but I had heard Bobby mention it. I swallowed hard as I wiped at the tears harshly. I can't believe I had just cried all over him. The man who had rejected me just a few hours ago. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. It's okay…we all lose it. I know, trust me."
"This is the first dream I've had in a long time, but when I do dream. His face…it's just right there." I grabbed a pillow and hugged it close to my body. I shook my head, "I just can't get rid of the look he gave me before and then after…his eyes…"
Dean sighed heavily as he rubbed his forehead and ran his hand over his hair frustrated like. He turned sideways facing me. The bed creaked under his weight. He took in a breath, "Tell me. It helps to talk about it. I used to…talk about things with someone and it helped a lot. She listened…and for a little bit, it felt like someone cared enough. It helps."
I cocked an eyebrow, "A girly moment from Mr. Dean Winchester. Shock me."
He smirked, "It's harder than it looks being me."
I gave a small smile and shook me head before the memory fully sunk in. I took in a breath, "We…were tracking down a demon in Chicago. It was killing people for fun…just picking them off one by one. So…we went in looking for it. I'm not exactly sure when…but it got Aaron somehow. I didn't even notice….for two whole weeks. Not once. How can you not know?"
Dean met my eyes briefly and they flickered down to the rose printed comforter, I continued, "I figured it out…his attitude was off. Then I caught a glimpse of his eyes. He trapped me in the room…we were there for hours and hours. He said that he was excited because my brother could watch. His eyes…its eyes…God, they are like freaking burned into my brain. He smiled the whole time…he cut…burned…and touched…"
Dean sucked in a breath as he looked away. I wiped away some stray tears and then gave a sad laugh, "I got away…started heading for the door. He stabbed me in the arm. I knew I was dead, but I remembered that I had placed a gun under the bed when we had first arrived at the hotel. I darted for it. I turned around and there he was. Aaron…"
Dean met my eyes…they were soft, glassy. He swallowed as he twirled his ring absentmindedly. "That's the thing I can't forget, you know? Aaron was there for a few seconds. He told me….he told me to. He said, 'Shoot, baby bird.' Then just like that, black, and I shot. Bobby had to pry the gun from my hands hours later. I just sat there…staring at his eyes. I couldn't move. I had just killed the only thing…the only person that cared for me."
"That's why you hunt?"
I met his eyes and gave a swift nod, "I owe it to him."
"I think you owe yourself," I looked away. The bed creaked once more as he moved closer. I felt his hands on the side of my face drawing my eyes toward him. "Closure isn't something earned while hunting. It's gained over time."
He pressed a kiss to my forehead and my eyes fluttered involuntarily. Damn eyes. He wasn't in this for a commitment. He was being a friend. I opened my eyes and he was watching me. Suddenly he pressed a soft kiss to my lips and then pulled away quickly, "You're strong Ava. I know what strong looks like and you're gonna be fine."
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The next day would have been completely fine if Sam hadn't walked in and found Dean in my bed with his arm around my waist. The look on Sam's face was like his puppy had been slaughtered in some cruel way. The look on Dean's face…was pretty funny actually. I know for a fact that we hadn't meant to fall asleep and another fact, we didn't fall asleep with his arm around my waist either. Sam, after that, went out to get us all coffee and bagels. I hated bagels, but I wasn't about to say different. He already seemed wounded enough. It wasn't as if anything was going between Dean and me…or even between Sam and me. I think it was more of a thing like 'why didn't you tell me?'
I met the boys in Sam's room, newly showered and fully dressed in jeans with my Ariat boots, and a plain cranberry colored scoop neck tee. I was going comfortable today. If we were going to scout out the land and around the lake- I was going comfortable. Kendra was more of the girly girl than I was. Don't get me wrong, I loved my dresses and skirts, but never while hunting on the road. Those were for off time. My off time clothes were stashed in my Jeep at Bobby's right now.
Dean seemed to be eyeing me more today than he usually did. To be honest, I wasn't sure if it was because of what I divulged to him last night or the way we were found sleeping. Maybe a bit of both. Sam pointed to the edge of the map that showed Piner Springs.
"Thought maybe we could search the old mine…seems like a good place to stash bodies."
"My vote's on the lake," Dean said chewing his lip. Sam crossed his arms and huffed loudly and gave a short nod.
"The natural spring runs from the mine to the lake. We split up. Check things out."
Split up. Well, there were three of us…and I certainly didn't split into. I raised my hand, "I don't come in halves…so where am I splitting to?"
"The town…safer." I met Dean's gorgeous green eyes with surprised ones. He seriously was going to play the safe card with me? Sam swiftly agreed. I gaped at them. Dean shrugged, "Still have the town to scout right? That's your job."
"Give the easy job to the chic huh?"
Dean rolled his eyes, "I really don't want to play the gender card with you Ava."
Sam chimed in as he began loading things into his backpack, "I am…it's safer. You have the town."
"Not helping man."
I glared at both of them, "Fine. Whatever."
I snatched the visitor pamphlets off the table next to the map and grabbed my coffee, "For the record…I hate bagels."
I left.
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The town was extremely small, so there wasn't much to 'scout' out. That must have been their plan that they were whispering about ruthlessly before I walked in. I hoped the boys were having fun on their hikes while I scared away the fishy looking townsfolk of Piner Springs. I rolled my eyes as another woman crossed the street before she got within twenty feet of me. Seriously? Some say that this is natural and it's fine to cross the street, but when she stares you down like you are some kind of dangerous convict…then it's not natural.
I spotted Veen walking across the street in high stride, keys in hand, face looking treacherous. I gave a hmm and hauled ass to catch up with her. "Hey Vine!"
She turned abruptly, "Ms. Granger….without the company of your gentlemen friends I see."
Granger…my cover name. Dean's was Hightower. Sam's was Peterson. We sounded like real people, almost. I smiled softly, "Ohh…they're out doing guy things, hiking and such. I'm shopping."
She glanced down at my hands, my empty hands. Her eyes flicked over to the side of the street then back at me, "I own an antique shop….if you enjoy that sort of thing."
Hate it. "Love antiquing."
I found myself following the older woman to her shop. There were quite a few strands of hair hanging out of her bun. There was also quite a bit of gray hair on the back of her black shirt. There was a run in her hose that was very noticeable as she walked at a quick pace. Her knuckles were almost white as she griped the handles of her bamboo purse. Something was wrong with the B&B/Antique Store owner. She opened the door to the store, allowing me to go first, then she entered and flipped the CLOSED /OPEN sign around, "I have an enjoyable piece I think you will be quite interested in Ms…"
"Granger. Ava."
"Yes. You were making quite a racket this morning. Sounds like the bed was going to come through my ceiling. He must be a stallion."
I felt my heart stop. I've been wondering that myself the last few days. "That…was just me. I'm a tosser and turner…"
She cackled and then disappeared into the back. The lights flickered on and I heard her calling out, "Browse around. I'll be out in a sec."
I nodded and glanced around at the creepy antiques. I'm not really sure what I was looking for. Sam had sent me a text just after I left and said to keep my eye out for cursed items. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure that these things don't have a sign saying, 'I'm evil.'
On the third isle I was in, the lights flickered…my heart raced. I turned around to make a dash for the door, but was stopped by Veen. A scarier version of Veen with black eyes…shit, shit, shit. I turned the other way quickly and made a dash for the exit. I caught a glimpse of Sam and Dean standing on the other side of the street talking closely.
"Dean!"
I was unexpectedly tossed in the air back toward shelves. I crashed to the ground with a cry and a sharp pain in my hand. I laid there dazed for a second. My vision swam around me. I could hear Sam and Dean beating on the door, trying to break the glass. Black eyes filled my vision and I jerked away. Veen cocked her head as she towered over me, eyes black as coal, "I believe we've been in this position before Ava."
My eyes widened and I scrambled toward the door once again. "Dean! It's him! Dean!"
His face hardened as he pulled out his gun and started shooting the glass, to no avail. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks as I was raised into the air, "Come now Ava…we had fun. Did we not?"
I shifted my eyes to Dean and Sam. They were gone. No…I was alone. He was going to kill me and I was alone. "Did you enjoy the dreams? I couldn't believe it was you when you walked in…it was like it was meant to be."
I flew back into another wall of antiques, my head thumped against the wall sending white spots into my vision. I pulled a glass shard from my forearm. I heard banging once more. I rolled my head toward the door and found Dean there hand pressed against the glass, "You're okay. You're gonna be all right."
I swallowed before hearing shots ring out into the room. Black smoke poured out of Veen's mouth and I watched the body fall to the ground. Dean was there in seconds, hands on either side of my face forcing me to look at him. His concerned eyes were glassy and I wanted so bad to throw my arms around him, but I couldn't lift them. So, all I said was…"Safer, huh?"
He smirked and pressed a long kiss to my forehead.
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After the shop incident, we high tailed it out of there. We took only the back roads until we reached a town eighty miles away. We stopped at this crap whole of a motel to clean up and rest, try to figure out our next course of action. Now…I was in the bathroom for almost thirty minutes (I think) letting the water run over my head. I watched the blood from my right forearm run down the tub and swirl around the drain. He remembered me. Of course he would…why wouldn't he? I had escaped him once, now twice. I had to think that the third time- I wouldn't be so lucky. I sighed when the water started to run cold and reached up to turn it off quickly. It was then I heard Dean's voice. I lifted myself from the tub and pressed my ear to the door.
'This is pretty bad Bobby.'
…
'I know…I know. If Sam hadn't been able to get in…I don't…'
…
'Yea, I think we are gonna head your way for a bit.'
I slumped down on the floor. I sat there for the longest time before my body started to shiver and I felt my hair start to dry. The wound on my arm had stopped bleeding. The puddle of blood looked scary in contrast to the white grimy tiles. The last thing I remember was Dean wrapping a towel around me, pressing a kiss to my forehead before he carried me to the bed.
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Everyone who is reading- you are all so awesome! I'm going to try to get as many chapters in as I can because I'm leaving for two weeks to go on vacation on the 18th. So, we will see how many I can get out here.
*cyber cookies for everyone*
:-)