Chapter Seven

Warnings: minor angst

Summary: You've studied so hard to be a nurse but you're finding yourself wanting to go on more hunts with Sam and Dean. After you've convinced them to let you go on a vampire hunt, you don't realize how exhilirating it is.

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You and Clarissa haven't talked since Disneyland, and you've been avoiding her. You told her that you love her boyfriend. What sister would be okay with that? Clarissa is a very emotional person and you hate doing anything to upset her. You never wanted to come between them. Still, you have to face her eventually so you go to the Bunker knowing she's been staying here since you got back from Disneyland.

You knock on the door and wait for someone to answer it, and you're kind of disappointed when Sam does.

"Hey, come in."

"Thanks. Is Clarissa here?" He doesn't have to answer because you see her in the war room about to head up the metal stairs. "Where have you been? I've been calling and texting you. We should talk."

"I gotta run but I'll see you at home." Your heart drops knowing she is avoiding you but she pulls you in for a hug. "It's going to be a girls weekend, okay? I'm taking you out."

"Okay."

She pulls away from you and leaves the Bunker with a smile on her face. She doesn't seem all that upset. Then again, she's a good actress. Once she pretended to be nice to you for a family gathering but then when you were alone, she gave you the meanest cold shoulder. You forget why you two were fighting.

"What was she doing here?" you ask Sam.

"I don't know. She's been in Dean's room the whole time."

Speaking of, Dean walks into the war room and tenses when he sees you. Oh no. What the hell did Clarissa tell him? Shit. Of course, she'd tell him that you're in love with him. God, you shouldn't have said anything.

"If you're looking for Clarissa, you just missed her."

"I know. I saw her."

You and Dean try to avoid each other's eyes and Sam looks at both of you.

"Okay, I found a case."

"A hunt?" you ask with interest. "Can I come?"

"You want to go hunting with us?"

"Yeah. The last time was fun. What are you hunting?"

"A nest of vampires."

"Sounds easy enough," you shrug.

"Easy? Have you ever used a machete before?" Dean asks.

"Yes, have you?" you tease.

Dean finally cracks a smile and shakes his head without answering your question.

"What about your job?"

"Look, I love being a nurse and helping people but after Disneyland, I realize the best way to help people is to hunt. Isn't that what it's all about? To help as many people as I can? I can still be a nurse but it won't be in a hospital."

"What about the internship? You worked so hard for it," Sam says.

"Yeah, I did, but that was before. All I know is how I feel now, and I want to learn how to be a hunter. Who better to help me than the best." You smirk. "Unless you'd like me to go to someone else, you know, who isn't the best."

"I know what you're doing," Dean playfully glares at you.

"Does that mean I can come?"

"Fine."

"The more the merrier," Sam chuckles.

"Yay!"

You don't have a lot to pack so it doesn't take you long to pack the car up with what you need. Sam and Dean take longer than you so you're inside the car with your feet on the dash, talking to Clarissa on the phone.

"Looks like I'm going hunting with them. A nest of vampires, according to Sam. Don't worry, I'll be back in time for our weekend."

"Good. You really like doing this kind of work, don't you?"

"I do," you smile. "Listen, are we okay? You know, after Dis–"

"We'll talk when you get back, okay?"

"Okay," you whisper.

You don't feel any better about the situation. Sam and Dean join you in the car and put the bags into the trunk.

"Feet off the dash," Dean says and slides behind the wheel.

"Yes, sir," you say sarcastically, but you don't miss the way his jaw ticks and how he shifts on the seat.

For the first few hours, you listen to your own music and play games on your phones, but by hour five, Dean turns down the music and glances over at you.

"So, tell me how you think you kill a vampire."

"Okay." You put away your phone and shift so you're facing him. Sam is sitting sideways with his legs stretched across the back seat. Even in that position, he has to bend his legs since they can't fit all the way.

"Stake through the heart? Put it in sunlight?" You think that's funny but Dean doesn't laugh. Sam chuckles but he coughs to cover it up when he sees his brother's look. "I'm guessing that's wrong?"

"No. Decapitation is the only way to kill one of them. That's why we have machetes. Listen, they're strong but you're craftier. Whatever you do, don't let their blood get in you–through eyes, open wounds, or the mouth. You'll turn into one of them. If you do happen to get turned, don't drink human blood. There's a cure for vampirism but it won't work once you fully transition into one."

"Got it."

It's a lot but you're not going to let it scare you. You chose this. You have to be okay with everything that comes with hunting. Dean stops for gas and Sam goes inside to get something to eat and to stretch his legs. You stand off to the side with your machete in hand and practice swinging it. You don't think it will be hard to slice a head off the body but it can't be easy. You three are the only ones at the gas station so you're not worried about scaring someone with your machete.

Dean puts the gas nozzle back into the hook and looks at you. He chuckles to himself when he sees you swinging the machete around. He looks at Sam to see him still browsing the food so he walks over to you carefully.

"Careful there, slugger. You might take an eye out," he jokes.

"Sorry. I'm just practicing."

"Yeah, I can see that."

"Am I doing it wrong?"

"Your stance is off. If you stand like this," he spreads his legs slightly and turns his body slightly toward you, "then you'll swing more smoothly." You try to copy his stance but you look as stiff as a board. "Here, let me show you."

Dean presses his body to your back and you immediately freeze. He grabs your hips and turns you while keeping your legs where they are. He kicks your right foot lightly and you move it further by a couple of inches. His fingers trace up your body and to your arms. Goosebumps follow his fingers as they make their way down to your hand. He wraps his big hand around yours so you're both holding the machete. He keeps one hand on your hips and turns you slightly before swinging the machete down. Your heart is racing a million miles a second. This shouldn't be happening.

"See how much easier that feels?"

"Yeah, it does," you whisper.

Dean's hand flexes on your hips as if he's holding back from exploring your body. You turn in his arms and look into his beautiful green eyes. What you wouldn't give to kiss him right now. His eyes dip to your mouth but before anything can happen, Sam calls for you two.

"Hey, you guys good?"

"Are we good?" Dean asks you, his voice low.

"Yeah," you whisper.

Dean's the one to break away from you and you feel sad that you can't feel his body anymore. You only have two more hours to go. Two more hours locked in a car with Dean. The sheriff is waiting for you when you three arrive in town.

"Thanks for agreeing to meet with us," Sam says and shakes his hand.

"Of course. Thanks for coming. We're having a bit of a crisis here. Our small town doesn't do well with back-to-back murders. Well, supposed murders."

"What do you mean?"

"Not a single body has been found. People go missing and everyone speculates that they've been murdered. It's a small town. No one ever leaves and if they do, we know exactly why–money, new job, marriage–people don't disappear from here."

"Do you have any theories?"

"I don't want to start drama but a new family moved into town on Old Miller Farm. Justin Miller, bless his soul, got sick and sold his farm to the first person he could get to buy it. They're weird, won't talk to anyone, and they only come out at night. They've got everyone freaked but they haven't broken any laws."

"We'll take care of it, Sheriff. Thank you for speaking with us."

Old Miller Farm is the next stop, and there is a small space for the Impala to park where you can see the farmhouse in clear view. If they are vampires, then they won't show themselves until the sun has gone down, and they do. As soon as the sun disappears beneath the horizon, they file out of the house. Two of them sneak to the back of the property at a place where you can still see from the car. There is a huge woodchipper and tornado shelter doors that lead further underground. The vampires outside talk to each other for what seems like hours before heading back inside.

The two vampires by the woodchipper open the storm doors and head down into the shelter before returning with two bodies slung over their shoulders. Even from where you are, you know they're dead. One of them starts the machine and the other tosses a body into the shipper. Seconds later, the entire body is shredded only to be fed through the chipper again. Whatever is left over is poured into buckets. You're not sure where they plan on taking the contents but if they have pigs, no one will ever find their remains.

"God, this is horrible," you sigh and look away from it.

"They must be doing this to hide the bodies. Feed them to the pigs and everyone is none the wiser," Sam says.

"So, how are we going to do this?" you ask.

"Well, you'll stay here and Sam and I will–"

"Excuse me," you cut him off, "I did not travel a thousand miles with you to stay in the car. I'm here. I want to help. Look, I might not be ready to take a nest on by myself but I can distract. Use me."

Sam and Dean look at each other in silent conversation.

"Fine," Sam stutters. "You distract from the front and we'll sneak in the back."

"Alright, if you're going to go in there, you need to know a few things," Dean says. All three of you get out of the car and Dean opens the trunk where the weapons are. He takes out two syringes from the bag. "This is Dead Man's Blood. It won't kill them but it's like poison. It'll take it down to where you can kill it, okay?"

"Yeah," you nod and take the syringes.

You wait for the vampires to be done crushing the bodies before you three head to the house. You break off from the brothers and walk to the front door. Sweat forms on your hairline but you try to keep calm. Vampires have super hearing. They'll hear your racing heart and smell your fear. They'll know something is up before you can distract them. You take two deep breaths before knocking on the door. A woman answers it and she looks dirty like someone just picked her off the street.

"Can I help you?" she asks.

"Yeah, my car broke down and I was wondering if I could use your phone?" You point to the Impala which can be seen from the house. "I promise I'll be quick."

"Are you alone out there?"

"Yeah, can I use your phone? My cell died."

"Sure. Come in."

She opens the door wide enough to squeeze you in, and you have to stop the gag when you smell how bad she is. There are half a dozen people inside, all of whom are staring at you like you're a piece of meat. You keep your eyes cast downward and follow the woman into the kitchen where the wall phone is. There is another woman inside eating something red. You don't want to know what it is.

"Thank you." You pick up the phone and dial your sister's number. Don't pick up. Don't pick up. Please don't pick up. She doesn't and you chuckle nervously at the two women who are staring at you. "Damn, she's not answering. Let me call someone else." You dial Dean's number knowing his phone is on silent. He doesn't answer it so you hang up with a slight blush on your cheeks. "Sorry to waste your time. It looks like no one is answering."

"Do you need shelter for the night? There's an extra bed here," the woman offers.

"Oh, I don't want to trouble you any longer. It's okay. I'll charge my phone in the car and call a tow truck."

You turn to leave but she blocks your path.

"Why didn't you do that in the first place?" You open your mouth to answer but you hear a loud thump coming down the stairs. She hears her friends shout in anger and she turns to you with deadly eyes. "Hunters."

She bares her fangs and lunges at you, pinning you to the wall. You grab one of the syringes and stab her in the neck, emptying it into her system. She cries out and stumbles back but you're not free yet. The other woman runs at you and slams her body into yours. She knocks you over the kitchen table and onto the floor. You reach into your jacket pocket and unsheath your machete but the female vampire is too quick for you. She kicks the machete out of your grip and steps on your hand. You scream out in pain just as she leans down to attack, and the kitchen door slams open. Dean rushes in and slices his machete through the air and right through her neck.

"Are you okay?" he asks and helps you up with your good hand.

"Yeah, just a bit bruised. I don't think it's broken."

The vampire you injected with Dead Man's Blood writhes on the ground, moaning in pain, and Dean yanks her up by her hair.

"Wanna kill your first vampire?" he asks.

You flex your injured hand, deciding that it's okay enough to grip the machete. You pick up your machete from the ground and twirl it in your hand.

"Yes."

You do what Dean taught you to do and bring the machete down on her neck. Her head falls to the ground and rolls to the side, and you gasp at the shock of it.

"Look at that. You're a natural," Dean smiles.

The kitchen door slams open and you and Dean look at Sam.

"We gotta go. The cops were tipped off."

Party's over. You don't bother cleaning up your mess knowing the police will either cover it up or make some excuse as to why the new family in town is no longer living there. You're back home earlier than you thought you'd be, but you stay home to unwind from the case before hanging out with Clarissa. She made a spa appointment for you two on Friday, which is a good thing since your body aches from being thrown over a kitchen table.

"I saw them, Claire. They shoved those bodies into the woodchipper, but I killed my very first vampire. It was exciting. It was awesome. Dean was awesome. You should have been there."

"Nah, that's your thing. Spas are kind of my thing," she chuckles.

You lean back on your chair and sigh happily.

"This is nice, too."

You and Clarissa are alone in the room to unwind before they call you back and give you a massage, and Clarissa looks at you with a sigh.

"I gotta tell you something. We should talk about Disneyland."

Yep, there is it. Hunting took your mind off this conversation but now you're forced to confront your feelings.

"I know. Look, it wasn't fair for me to–"

"No, let me talk first."

"Okay."

You sit up and remove the face mask off your face so you can see her better. She does the same and tosses the mask into the trashcan.

"When you saw me in the Bunker earlier this week, I was there to break up with Dean. We're not dating anymore."

Wow. You were not expecting her to say this. You blink rapidly as you try to think of a response.

"Oh, wow, I don't really know what to say to that."

"I've been thinking a lot about what you said at Disneyland and it's true. I don't love Dean. I'm ashamed to say I only kept him around for selfish reasons. Don't get me wrong, I really did like him in the beginning but he's not the man for me. I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you."

Okay, now you don't know what to say to that, so you don't say anything.

"Are you okay?" you ask once you find your voice.

"Oh, I'm fine. I've been talking to this guy for a while. Dean knows about him. I'm not a cheater so I ended things with Dean so I can be with this guy. His name is Asher. He's rich and loves spending his money, especially on me."

You can't help but laugh at that. There's nothing wrong with wanting a man who has a lot of money. It doesn't make Clarissa shallow. That's just what she's into.

"Well, I'm happy for you. I can't wait to meet him."

"Yeah, but I think you should be with Dean. You two are clearly meant for each other, and I didn't want to hold you back from who makes you really happy. What kind of sister would I be if I kept him from you?"

"Thank you, Clarissa," you smile with tears in your eyes.

"Don't mention it. Oh, and I know you switched the presents on our birthday. I know he got me that gun."

"Yeah," you chuckle, at a loss for words.

Dean was single for the entire hunt. He was single when he held you in his arms. He was single when he held your hips. He's yours for the taking. How the hell are you going to bring this up to him?