Shattered {Ryder, Gregg}

[Simone Winchester]

Facing the demon was the hardest thing Simi had ever had to do. Keeping a cool look on her features when her knees were threatening to give out in fear was the next. She had no idea what she was planning on doing to stop him but she also knew she couldn't handle any more innocent blood on her hands.

Especially when one of those deaths might be Ryder's.

She'd pulled him into this mess but she wasn't about to let this asshole harm him in any way. The demon in her ex had done enough harm all ready and she wouldn't stand for any more. There came a point when a person just had to put their foot down and say enough was enough.


So there she stood on trembling legs with the demon sneering at her. Fear threatened to over ride her but she forced it back and simply raised a brow in distainful amusement as he continued to spout his demonic rot.

"Better than than hell spawn decay and sulfar!" she retorted even as he started at her and she braced herself for a fight.

However, before the demon could reach her, events took an unplanned detour. From behind Gregg, Ryder appeared with what looked to be a... Bedpan? Was he seriously carrying a bed pan? It wasn enough to make her eyes widen even as events unfolded. Blinking rapidly, she heard him shout and saw liquid go flying right into the demon's face. When he hissed and steam seemed to roll off his skin she knew that the young hunter had found holy water.

Even as she reacted to that, Ryder went on the offensive and kicked the demon hard in the chest. As he flew back into the wall, Simi glanced around madly for something to use to incapcitate the thing and found her eyes upon a medical tray. Stumbling forward, she spied a few syringes with clear liquid on the thing and read the "TBU for sedation" label on one of them.

From behind her, the sounds of a fight rang out and she whipped around in time to see a fist fly and hear Greggs words ring out over the noise. The demon had Ryder pinned to the wall and her hand clenched around the syringe and needle.

Damn it.. this was so not good. She had to think of a way to pull him away from the hunter.


With her mind working double time, she caught Ryders eye and then held up the weapon in her hand. Swallowing hard, she tossed it across the floor and watched it land by the two combatants feet and prayed it wouldn't get crushed in the chaos of what she was about to do.

Then, putting on her most wicked expression, she moved towards Gregg and caught his gaze as he glanced over his shoulder.

"Now, baby..... Why on earth would you think that I wanted anyones else?" she asked, arching her brow and biting her bottom lip."I was actually thinking about the proposal you made me in the car... All that power combined with mine... I was thinking you might be right about all the potential to be had there....."

Knowing she was playing a tricky game but praying it worked, the little blond laid her hand on Gregg's shoulder and pulled on him gently. The action made her insides curdle but she kept the wicked expression on her face as she continued to turn him away from Ryder and towards her. The demon wasn't stupid. He would except a trap so she had to make this good.

"Come on.... Leave him alone.... He's no one... We've got better things to be doing than wasting time hanging about here." she whispered, pulling him a few steps away from his prey and then giving him a coy look under her lashes. "After all... that was your original plan wasnt it? You and me? Wouldn't it be so much better if I kept you company and we remade old times?"

Allowing her hands to steal up to Gregg's face, she listened for movement behind them and then gazed straight into his eyes before kissing him. Refusing to think about the demon inside, she focused on the fact that her former love was somewhere in the tattered husk.

When she finally pulled back, she meet his gaze again and then whispered.

"Forgive me, Gregg" as she waited for Ryder to strike.



(Okies guys... I talked to Gregg about this sedation idea but if it doesn't work for you Ryder.. Just let me know! I can change any part of this that needs to be. I just rolled with the idea as I tried to come up with a way to get us all out of this alive and with some explaination.. I figure a full syringe of knock out meds to the neck or something would put him out for a little bit at least but... If you want to do something different... LET ME KNOW AND I CAN DEFINITELY ROLL WITH IT!!!! LOL)

[Ryder James Winchester]

Oh shit.

That was the only thing going through Ryder’s head as the demon recovered so quickly from the holy water and then his assault. Mental note. Think a little further ahead next time you start a war…
Faster than the hunter could react, Gregg was landing a punch to his jaw that sent him flying across the hall and then had him pinned against the wall. Ryder squirmed and jerked to get out of the demon’s hold, but it was no real use. The demon using Simi’s ex-boyfriends body as a vessel was as strong as an ox and his measly muscle didn’t measure up.

Never the type of man to give up, especially when his grey eyes landed on Simi’s horrified expression beyond them; Ryder balled his hands into tight fists and began raining down blows where ever he could land them. One caught the demon’s shoulder, and another his bicep. Still more came down on Gregg’s neck and face, but none seemed to faze the possessed man.

When the hunter’s gaze lit on the white witch behind them, his eyes narrowed as they caught the syringe in her hand, and he quickly inhaled and got a rein on the reaction he knew was playing across his face lest the demon catch on. Ryder could see the hypodermic land on the ground underneath them with his peripheral vision, but he paid it no mind; not wanting Gregg to notice the makeshift weapon.

The sound of Simi’s seductive voice caught the young Winchester off guard, and he couldn’t help the look of surprise that drifted over his countenance as he watched the witch offer herself to the demon with all the suggestiveness of a woman of the night.
His stomach rolled when she pulled Gregg slowly away from him and staying backed up against the wall, Ryder watched the demon’s eyes cloud with a hunger he knew would break the little witch in two.

Seeing Simi kiss Gregg was the lightening bolt that broke open the clouds to release the storm. Acting on pure instinct and rage, Ryder went down to retrieve the needle, bounding up to plunge it into the demon’s ceratoid artery with an impulsive growl.

Out of breath from his struggle as well as his anger, the young Winchester held tightly to the demons shoulder as wild fury ghosted across his face, replaced with confusion as the sedative began to take effect, and finally the male dropped unmoving to the floor.
Seeing the man that had raped Simone laying there covered in the blood of innocents, bile rose in Ryder’s throat along with the fire of his rage. He kicked the unconscious male a few times in the ribs before stepping over him to grasp Simi’s arm; worry written over his handsome visage.

“Are you okay?” Ryder asked, searching her eyes and her face and finally coming to rest on the virtuous lips that had touched his, and then Gregg’s just moments ago. He was smart enough to know it had all been part of the plan, but he couldn’t help the surge of unbidden possessiveness that coursed through him.
The hospital wing was a virtual bedlam; nurses running, emergency pages overhead, the sound of panic overwhelming, but Ryder could hear nothing but the thunderous beating of his own heart and Simone’s ragged breathing. Brows furrowed over stormy eyes, he lifted a hand to tuck a strand of her tousled blonde hair behind her ear before letting it fall; ashamed of himself for thinking of that kiss at a time like this.

“We need to get the hell out of here before security arrives.” He forced himself back into soulless hunter mode; face devoid of all emotion. Simone didn’t need a jealous hot head right now; she needed a friend and a champion. He wasn’t about to let his confusing unwarranted sentiments control him while Simi still hung on a precarious spiders web of danger right now.

Grabbing her hand, Ryder hurried towards the stairwell, leading them away from the group of armed security officers rushing toward the scene.
With one arm under her arm and the other around her waist for support, the hunter quickly moved them down the stairs and past the front desk until they were outside and approaching his jeep.

Helping her inside, the young Winchester closed the passenger door and then leaned against it; his conscience making it hard to move any further toward their escape.
How could he leave that demon up there when he knew as soon as it regained consciousness he was going to hurt even more people?

Exhaling heavily, he went around to the driver side and pushed the seat forward; reaching in the back seat to arm himself. He grabbed a sawed-off shotgun loaded with salt rock and a leather satchel full of holy water filled balloons. “I’ve gotta' go back in there.” Ryder told Simi, unable to look at her but knowing she was wondering what the hell he was doing. “I’ve got to exorcise that bastard before he can hurt anybody else…” He tugged the satchel over his shoulders and checked the safety on the gun. “He won’t ever stop coming after you until we send him back to hell…”

(( Okay, I wasn’t sure how this should go so I’ma let y’all decide. XD Obviously we don’t want to really exorcise Gregg, but Ryder really just wouldn’t leave him there without trying. Maybe Simi should talk him out of it? LOL I dunno…I just didn’t really know where y’all wanted it to go from here. ))

[Gregg Allen Steine]

Gregg had recovered quickly from that holy water, some demons holy water didn’t work on, but he isn’t that high up in the rankings so it still sizzles like a bitch and burns. He had asked Simone if this was her boy toy and if he had the man pinned against the wall curious as to who the dude is, and sizing him up, next thing he knew Simi was trying to seduce him, and trying to make him see that she wants to be with him, and that his plan sounded perfect and that there was loads of potential to be had if she did join him. She looked all beat up and a little broke the way she looked, but he wasn’t stupid. Did she think he was?

Simi had pulled him away from the man that he had pinned against the wall. He didn’t know they planned to knock him out She was trying to manipulate him into believing her so they could take him out. He had looked at her a blank expression on his face as he tried to read hers and figure her out and what she was playing at. Was she serious or was just a little game she was playing for kicks so that they could run. It had to be a game it just had to have been. “Do you think I am stupid, Simone? What made you change your mind? It couldn’t be my handsome good looks could it?”

Simone Blair was a tricky little witch and hard to read what she was really thinking she was being so seductive it was almost as if she meant it like something deep down inside had that little tickle that she wanted to know what the other side was like, and he was shocked at her actions next. He had been entranced by her gaze and she kissed him, and he pulled her closer to him, as her returned the kiss. Her lips were so tender and sweet. He could taste her blood upon them… He was shocked that she has kissed him. She was full of amazement. He didn’t even see it, the thing she had tossed to Ryder. Her kiss had put him in a trance and he had for a swift minute thought she really meant what she said, but she didn’t mean it. Her next words were I am sorry, before he got a jab with something.

Next thing Gregg knew was lights out for him, and when he woke, they were gone. “Bitch.” he growled aloud. Security was coming and he had to get out of there and fast. He had headed down the stairs as quickly as he could and out the front door. He had spotted them, but it best he retreat for now. He needs to find out who this bastard is and find some ways to take him out. “ This isn’t over Simone. I will get you and your boy toy too. Count on it. When you least expect it I will get you.” he screamed and disappeared off into the night with out a trace.

[Simone Winchester]

God. Simi felt like she were living some kind of twisted Twilight episode.

Surely this wasn't what her life had come too? She'd tried so hard to escape the frying pan only to land smack dab in the fire itself. When she'd headed off to college, the little witch had been so sure she could have a normal life without all the drama and terror that went along with being a part of a hunting family. She'd desperately needed to see how the “other” half of the population had lived and for a short time... She'd almost succeeded in fooling even herself that she could have that sort of thing. Everything had seemed to come so easy even if she'd had to bury a part of herself so far down that she'd felt empty.

Then again, she obviously hadn't fooled anyone as well as she'd thought. She couldn't help but think that everything happening was her own damned fault and that she'd lead this demon asshole right to Gregg's door. If she hadn't been so foolish... Hadn't been so arrogant as to believe she could outrun the past... Would he still be living a normal life?

It was enough to make her sick inside with the realization.

Her mother had been correct when she'd told her she couldn't run from what she truly was inside. The very fiber of her being that held all the pieces together was something much more than just how she lived. It was WHO she was. It was in everything she was and everything she did. Mama had known what she was talking about when she'd told her that there would come a day when she'd have to accept that people with special gifts like their family had to make sacrifices for the greater good and quit trying to be ostriches with their heads buried in the sand.

She just been to stupid to learn the lesson in time. Her own actions had lead to the blood of innocents on Greggs and now her own hands.

With her lips upon Gregg's, the little blond felt tears swim in her eyes but she forced them back even as she whispered a soft apology and saw the needle descend. Gregg's hands tightened convulsively on her arms as fury lit his face but then the drug was sweeping steadily through his system and he slumped to the floor.

Vaguely, she heard the sound of nurses and doctors frantically shouting orders and shrill screams ringing down the halls as the dead where discovered. Unfortunately, Simi herself seemed frozen in shock as she watched Ryder kick him a few times and then turn to her with something in his eyes that she couldn't interpret. It took all her will power not to break down and throw herself into his arms in search of the comfort he'd given her before. There wasn't time for another mental break down now, however.

His gentle touch brought her out of her trance and she wiped madly at the lips she'd just used to kiss the demon. She could taste the sulfur there and her stomach roiled. Shock and adrenline mixed in her stomach and she felt as if she were going to be sick but she pushed it off. As much as she wanted to throw herself melt into Ryder and hide.... She'd been raised better than that.

There were still things that needed to be done.

“Oh god..Um... Yeah.... for the moment....” she whispered right before her companion grabbed her hand and started to pull her towards the stairs.

At the last minute, she spied two bottles of meds upon a medical tray and grabbed them up on her way by. One was an antibiotic and the other a pain killer that she thought she might be needing. Better safe that sorry, right? After all, missing meds were the least of anyone’s worries here.

Before she knew it, they were down the stairs and out the door. She was almost drooping with weariness and pain by the time they made it to the Jeep. Once there, Ryder helped her into the passenger seat and then headed around to the driver's side door. It took her a moment to realize what he was doing and then ice seemed to form in her middle. His words made her realize that he was right. They couldn't just leave these people to face the demons wrath alone.. No matter the cost to themselves. How selfish she'd been........

“Your right....” she whispered, reaching for the door handle. “But your not going back in there alone. You need back up and since I'm the only one around at the moment.... Guess that means I'm all you got...”


Smiling a bit ruefully, Simi let her sad blue eyes cut over to him and then asked.


“What other weapons have you got back there? We are going to need something to trap him with... If we are really lucky .. we can get a devils trap drawn and him in it before he comes too... That is... Unless the doctors tuck US into the psycho ward... I say we've got about a fifty fifty chance...”

Seeing a t-shirt tossed casually in the back, Simi grimaced as she picked it up and then held up a hand.

“I know what your going to say but its going to take both of us to do this, Ryder.... And I'm stealing your t-shirt, btw!”

With painful movements, the little blond shrugged out of the robe even as she saw protests form in those gorgeous azure eyes. Shaking her head, she used the robe as a shield even as she struggled out of the hospital gown and into the t-shirt she held. When she looked back, she saw the same stubborn look on his face that always lined Bastians and sighed.

He obviously wasn't happy.

However, before either of them could voice another word, a figure stumbled from the front doors and Simi's eyes whipped over and widened in shock. Gregg stood on the steps, weaving back and forth while glaring angrily in their direction. It was his words that truly made her stomach seize though.


“ This isn’t over Simone. I will get you and your boy toy too. Count on it. When you least expect it I will get you.”

Then, before she could even blink, he was gone. Just like that. Disappeared without a trace. For a long moment, she could only stare at the sight blankly before turning her gaze to Ryder. Her expression was horrified as she swallowed back tears.

“Oh god, Ryder.... I'm sorry... I'm so damned sorry.... I didn't mean to drag you into this all....” she gulped out, trying to figure out why her world was suddenly whirling like a merry go round. The sound of sirens wailed and she sighed. “We better get the hell out of here......” she muttered softly.

As she waited for Ryder to get in and start the vehicle, the witch stared blankly out the window. She didn't even register anything around her as her mind whirled.

What the hell was she supposed to do now? Where was she suppose to go? How the hell was she going to keep everyone safe? It didn't seem to matter what decisions she made now... They were going to be the wrong ones no matter how she looked at it. How was it that she had come to this pass? Suddenly, she felt old, tired and broken. Hopelessness and despair rode hard on her shoulders and she let her face drop into her palms. Somehow, some way, she had to come up with a plan and put an end to all this hell without getting anyone else killed.

On top of all that... She'd now endangered Ryder. Lisa was so going to kill her if Chey didn't first.

Finally raising her head, the blond glanced sideways and studied the young man beside her. It seemed like ages has past since the other night but it had been mere days. What was he thinking? Would he hate her as much as she hated herself now? At the moment, she couldn't come up with one single reason why he should be helping her and for some reason.. That broke her heart more than anything else.

[Ryder James Winchester]

Ryder couldn’t help the look of shock that raced across his face when Simi declared she was going in to help him. His grey eyes widened and mouth went slack, but the staggered expression was quickly replaced by one of determined refusal. She was safe now, but still badly wounded, and there was no way in hell he was going to let her run back into the mouth of hell. Not this time.

“Simi…” He started, but she barely gave him time to get a word in before she was pulling one of his tee-shirts over her blonde tresses and asking about weapons.
“Hell no.” The young Winchester murmured, shaking his head in negation. “Hell. Fucking. No.” The hunter has always been a man of compromise, but this time he was absolutely dogged. The reverie of the demon’s cold obsidian eyes and the wicked smile that was written across his face a moment before Simone had kissed him sent a shudder down Ryder’s spine. That bastard wasn’t going to touch her again. Not ever again.

When the witch’s eyes grew large and round like two sapphire pools reflecting the moon, the hunter followed her gaze. There he was; the devil himself, spewing threats like deadly volcanic lava. But those threats weren’t for this moment in time. Gregg vanished before the hunter could move toward him, and it took all the young man had to rein in his temper enough to climb into the jeep next to the blonde.
Her words were heart-breaking and the look on her face was enough to temporarily put out the flames of his anger. Ryder slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him; a position that was becoming increasingly familiar and comforting to him.

“Please don’t do that…” Ryder told her in a husky burr thick with barely contained emotion. “Don’t apologize to me…ever. I’m glad you called me.”

He wanted to tell the witch that this time spent with her had made him feel more alive than he had in a long while. He wanted to confess that where as he had been completely empty inside he could now feel a spark of something again. Something real. Something that felt really good.
Saving her had saved his life. She was his soul’s hero…

But all of these things he kept within, unable to voice them just as he was unable to go back home. He wasn’t revived from the dead completely yet.

Knowing that the sirens whining in the distance were headed to the hospital, Ryder finally had to release Simone and start up the jeep. He didn’t know where they were going except as far away from there as possible.
They drove for hours; mostly in quiet, but not so much an awkward silence as it was reflective. Sometime during the drive Simi had fallen into a much needed sleep and leaned against his shoulder. Ryder didn’t mind at all. It grounded him; gave him purpose and a foreign strength that he didn’t quite understand but refused to question.

The black shroud of night had just begun to lift when the hunter finally pulled into the lot of a vacant hotel. Ryder hadn’t dared going back to his familiar motel; not with Simi anyway. The things he’d left there were just that; things. He could always go back for them later if at all, depending on how long it took to get Simi home and safe and hunt down the demon.

Of course, that was one thing that the young Winchester had been going over in his mind during the dark hours full of quiet and that long winding road. He was sure Simone’s family would have wanted him to bring her back to them, but he didn’t know if that was what was best for her. Gregg would probably go there first looking for the witch, so keeping her mobile was probably the safest route. He planned to call them after he got Simi settled, explaining what had happened; giving them both peace of mind as well as a warning to be looking for the demon, but for now her protection was in his hands and that’s right where he wanted it.

Shifting just a little so that he didn’t jostle her too much but could reach his free arm over, Ryder let his hand drift down her dawn lit crown of blonde hair. The way the predawn light touched the tawny tresses made it look like she was wearing a halo and the peaceful look on her visage was nothing short of virtuous.

“Wake up angel…” He whispered and dropped the hand to touch her upper arm. He hated waking her be he wanted to get her inside as soon as possible.

[Simone Winchester]

On some level, Simi knew that she should buck up and be strong. It was her mess, her problem. Her parents had always taught her the value of being strong and self reliant even in times of trouble. But right at that very moment?

It felt good to let someone else take the wheel. The little witch simply didn't have the will power or energy to fight it.

In fact, Ryders strength and the warmth of his body was so damned comforting that his words made a ghost of a smile cross her face. Allowing herself to melt into his side, the petite blond nodded once and then watched as he moved to put the jeep into drive and got them the hell out of there. Exhaustion and the pain of her wounds pressed home the fact that she was in no shape to be going off on her own and she was smart enough to realize that she needed help if she was going to make it out of this alive. The demon had almost won once already and if he caught up with her like this.... She might as well give up the ghost now.

As silence reigned on, Simi sat up long enough to pick up the two bottles of pills she'd taken from the hospital and read the labels. Luck would have it that both were medications she'd taken in the past and one was a pain killer. As much as she hated to take anything... Her body was crying out for relief. After all, she'd just been through a bad wreck and she thought she could be forgiven for a pill or two.

Finding a water bottle on the floor board consul, she picked it up and waved it at Ryder before taking a drink and swallowing down two of the pain killers. Then, capping the bottle again, she slumped in her seat and stared out across the passing landscape. Before she knew what she was doing, she'd unconsciously moved closer to her companion and had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder.

The next thing she became aware of was the light touch of a hand upon her hair. The smell of engine oil, soap and man asailed her senses but they were warm, inviting scents. Mumbling a bit in her sleep, she turned instinctively into the solid warmth at her side and then her eyes flickered open sleepily. As she took in the hunters face, a soft smile started in her eyes and then found its way to her lips as she gazed up at him from that place between sleep and full awareness.

“Hey there, grease monkey..” she teased impishly before wincing as she tried to sit up. For a moment, her expression was a bit baffled and then reality intruded. The levity of the moment before was replaced by grim wariness as she turned to glance around at their surroundings. “Wow...I guess I really crashed out.... Where are we?” she asked, trying to cover up how uneasy she was.

Pushing herself into up right position, the little blond caught sight of her wild hair and battered face in the rear view mirror and groaned. Sleep Beauty she definitely was not! Right about now, she resembled Frankenstein's Bride, she figured and turned to Ryder with a shrug.

“If I go in there looking like this, there's bound to be some awkward questions....” she said in a voice husky from sleep. “I better wait out here until you get a room..... We don't need any authorities getting called and asking awkward questions.....”

Forcing a smile to her lips, she fumbled around in the glove compartment for a moment before pulling out a wad of cash. Holding it out to him with slow movements that belied her cheery expression, she shrugged her shoulders.


“Guess it really was a good thing that I stashed some money in your vehicle... I thought it might come in handy for you but... Never in a million years did I think I'd be hear to help you spend it...” she tried to joke and then worried her bottom lip. “Ryder...... If you don't mind.... Just one room? I …. I don't.. I don't think I can handle being by myself....”

Hoping she didn't sound to pathetic, Simi couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze but the thought of being alone in a strange place made her skin crawl. She had a feeling it was going to be a long time before she could ever feel safe again on her own.

[Ryder James Winchester]

Ryder snorted lightly at Simi’s nickname for him as she came to. He supposed ‘grease monkey’ was better than ‘asshole’, which is what more than a few people had taken to calling him in the past few months.
So sue him. He hadn’t really been in the best of moods, and what reason did he have to be in one?

The hunter shifted so she could sit up easier, scratching absently at the top of his head as he joined her in taking in their surroundings. “Yeah, but you needed it.” He answered and a mischievous grin spread over his face. “I didn’t mind the snoring…”
He inhaled sharply and let it out on a sigh, squinting his eyes into the bright radiance of the rising sun. Truthfully the hunter had been so deep inside his head while they were driving, he hadn’t paid much attention to where they’d actually ended up.
“I think we might be a few miles outside of Sioux Falls.” He answered and turned his gaze to face Simi again. “It looks familiar. We might have come this way to visit Bobby when I was younger.”

The remembrance brought on a wave of heart ache; images of a laughing Ben and Chey playing with Rufus like a corporal dagger to the chest. The hunter cleared his throat and pushed the reverie back down where it belonged, shaking his head and forcing a light smile that did not touch his eyes. “You look like a Simi.” Ryder told her with a little tilt of his head. “A little bruised around the edges, but still Simone…”

And he left it at that, not wanting confess that though battered and a little swollen, she was still one of the most gorgeous woman he’d ever met. Who knew that little pixie in pigtails would grow into this…

He was a little taken aback when the witch pulled a wad of cash from the glove compartment, but he just smirked instead of making a comment. That was just like her. It was how she’d always been and hopefully it wouldn’t ever change. Maybe her benevolent light was the reason he was starting to thaw inside. Hell, he hadn’t branded her with the name Angel for no reason. She had this glowing light around her that made it hard to see anything else in the room.

What he -could- see was the terrified look that still smoldered in her cobalt eyes.
He winced, wishing he could steal that fear away, but knowing that same fear grew inside him like a weed. The young Winchester just nodded, getting out of the jeep and disappearing inside the small motel office.

He was only gone for a few minutes, but returned with a room key, two cherry Cokes, and a bunch of candy bars. He came around to Simi’s side and pulled open the door, arranging the goodies in one arm so he could help her out with the other.
“I figured you were probably hungry.” Ryder told her while helping her towards the door to their room. “I know vending machine fare isn’t the best, but hopefully it’ll tide you over ‘til the diner next door opens for breakfast.”

They slipped inside and the hunter dropped the snacks off on the dresser before helping Simone over to the bed. He dropped down beside her, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his thighs and wearily rubbing his face before inhaling sharply and glancing over at the blonde. “We should call your family and let them know you're okay.” Ryder fished his cell out of his pocket and flipped it open; staring at it like it was a device from outer space. “You want me to do it?”

[Simone Winchester]

God, she felt like some b rated horror movie reject. Her body felt like it had been involved in a hit and run accident and then backed over a few times for good measure. In a way, she supposed she really had been. On some level, she supposed that she should feel a bit lucky at least. After all, there weren't many people that could walk away from a crash and burn wreck like she had and live to tell about it without some major damage.

That thought only made her think of the innocent young woman who'd lost her life for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, though. A part of her couldn't help but wish that she could have trade place with her if only to save the innocent life.

Giving Ryder a brave smile, she watched him slide from the jeep and head inside. Immediately, she felt unease creep through her system and the little witch found herself trying to look every direction at once in a paniced manner that increased until she spied the hunter coming back out of the office. He didn't even have to prompt her as he reached the vehicle and opened the door. She was already on the move and slid out with a gust of relief from her lungs.

Man, if the others could see her now, they'd laugh themselves silly.

Simi had never considered herself a weakling or someone who needed to rely on anyone else but she suddenly felt as if she'd go nuts if Ryder wasn't near enough to at least touch. The petite blond found herself searching every shadow with her frame taunt with the instinct to run if anything so much as twitched out of place. For someone used to going merrily about her way without the least thought to danger, it was a brutal awakening.

One that she felt was completely her own fault. If only she'd remembered the things she'd been taught in school... If only she hadn't let down her guard... If only she hadn't buried her head in the clouds.... What if she'd paid more attention? What if she'd caught the signs ahead of time? Could she have saved all those lives?

But no amount of If Only's or What ifs would change the damage done. What was it they said? Oh yeah, it was water under the bridge and she could only effect things from this point. Which was damned hard to do when you were jumping at your own shadow. Somehow, she had to pull it together and get a grip before she endangered Ryder too.

Easier said then done at the moment. She really just wanted to become an ostrich and bury her head in the sand. Another something she never dreamed she'd be doing. She was hurt, tired and beyond exhausted. More than that... She was scared silly. Yeah... It really SUCKED to be her at the moment didn't it? Pity party much? That thought alone had the power to stiffen her spine and she allowed her companion to sweep her into a room and deposit her on a bed.

Once there, she laughed softly at the array of junk food he'd brought for them and tucked a lock of hair from her face. When he dropped down beside her and leaned forward over his knees, her sapphire gaze went over his frame and she suddenly stopped worrying about herself and started thinking about him. Cautiously, she laid a palm on his shoulder and rubbed a bit as she watched his actions. She had no idea what to say so she bit her lip and worried on it for a few moments.

Then, his own words intruded into the silence and forced her to draw a deep breath as she stared at the phone like it might bite. She could feel his gaze upon her but she suddenly couldn't think of anything to say. As much as she wanted to call Bastian, she was scared too. The thought of the demon going after him made her stomach roil but was he any safer NOT knowing? He'd no doubt be going crazy with the knowledge that she was dead and he needed to know she wasn't but if they told him.. He'd no doubt demand to come get her and she didn't want him anywhere near danger until they figured out some sort of plan and caught the bastard. On the other hand, they could use some help and there was no one else Simi trusted more.

“Um..... Yeah.... Your right.......” she whispered softly, reaching to touch the cell like it was a snake that might strike. “What am I going to tell him though? Hes going to lose it Ryder.... Not that he probably already hasn't lost it but.... God, I'll be lucky if he believes its me... Hes going to get all bossy and demand you take me to him and I'm not sure thats the best idea at the moment.. Like you said.. Gregg could be watching them for a hint of where I might be... I don't want to endanger anyone else... I don't even know where he is honestly.....”

Even as she spoke, however, her fingers plucking the phone out of her companions hands and dialed a familiar number she'd have known blind. As it rang on the other end, she put it to her ear and closed her eyes tight. Unfortunately, instead of her brothers husky, beloved tone, she heard the voicemail kick on and she sighed before glancing at Ryder. When the beep rang out, she was silent for a moment before beginning to talk.

“Um.... Hey Bastian... Its Simi.....” a long pause fell before she continued. “I don't know whats going on there but I'm not dead... obviously... I'm with Ryder.... Ryder Winchester and he saved my life.... I .. I need you to call this number when you get this message.... And just so you know its really me.... Remember that summer when you decided to go skinny dipping with that cheerleader and all your clothes came up missing?? That wasn't Jake and Tess... That was actually me and Tammy.... Um..... I love you.... Please call back soon.......”

Then, hitting the end button, the young woman stared at it for a long moment before handing it back to the hunter beside her. Her voice shook as she fought back a tied of no good tears again. Forcing a note of levity in her voice, she tried to make a joke.

“Bet your wishing you hadn't answered that phone right about now, huh? Who'd of thunk it that you'd be running from a demon with one of your childhood terrors? I always told you I'd get even with you for pulling my ponytails!”

[Ryder James Winchester]

Ryder started at the feel of Simi’s hand on his shoulder, but when he glanced up into those vast gentle eyes, he relaxed, letting the magic in her touch soothe his somnolent spirit. He let out a heavy sigh when she took the cell from him and stared at it like he had before; scared, confused, unsure of what to do or what to say. The witch’s words echoed the ones that had been going through his mind for months when faced with the need to call his own flesh and blood, though it was his little sister he was most afraid of. He had always known Chey would be angry with him for leaving like he did, or worse; hate him. He couldn’t bear the thought of hearing her cry or begging him to come home when he knew he couldn’t yet.

But his woes weren’t his concern at the moment.

Bastian Blair was Simone’s older brother and he could relate to her apprehensions about calling him. If it were his own younger sibling in this situation he would no doubt react just the way she said Bastian would; with demand of her return or her whereabouts. After all, that’s what big brothers were for, right? To protect their baby sisters…

When Simi shut her eyes and clutched the phone tightly to her ear the young Winchester couldn’t help but inhale sharply and hold it in. He could sympathize with what her family must be going through right now, but wasn’t her safety more important than their peace of mind? The hunter knew he would have to steel himself to the knowledge that he was doing the right thing keeping the witch from them. Happy family reunions could come later, when the demon stalker was dead and gone.

When Simi turned to him with a look of utter disappointment and began the voicemail to Bastian, Ryder’s face fell. He could feel the displeasure radiating off of the slender blonde like a wisp of wintery air and it made his chest ache; sensing her pain.
Even the spoken recollection of the little girl stealing her brother’s clothes while he skinny-dipped as a way to prove her legitimacy didn’t help the dull throbbing in his heart and he let out the breath that had been seized in his lungs and slumped forward; his face in his hands.

Finally the call was ended and he sat up straight again, feigning strength he didn’t truly feel. He tossed the cell phone across from them to land lightly on the dresser opposite the bed and shook his head, snorting at her comment about karma for his pig-tail pulling days.
“Yeah, well…I seem to remember you got me back for that incident once, when you figured out boys and girls were different and a light kick to the front of the pants could take me down.” He laughed lightly and shook his head, leaning backwards on the bed and holding his weight up with his elbows.
“Seriously, I’m glad it was me you called.” He told her, and this time his tone was more serious than playful. “I don’t even wanna' think of you having to take on that monster alone and I know how it is when you feel like you just can’t go to your blood.”

He sighed, pushing himself up and wandering over to the candy and sodas with his back to her. The hunter didn’t want the brave witch to see how much of a coward he was when it came to facing his family and he sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, he grabbed the chocolate and turned back towards her with a good-natured smile.

“Are you hungry? I’ve got Snickers and Mr. Good bar and Reeses peanut butter cups and Three Musketeers…” Ryder paused, looking down at the candy. “Okay, you might have to fight me for the Three Musketeers but you can have your pick of the rest of them.”

He snorted and took the handful over to the bed and laid them in the middle before dropping down and scooting up against the head rest with the remote. “You think they have free cable?”

[Simone Winchester]

Wow, they were certainly a pair, weren't they?

Simi could tell by the stiff way Ryder held himself as he turned away from her that his thoughts had gone inward and she knew he was thinking about his own family. It seemed that the Winchesters and the Blairs had a dark cloud of trouble forever lurking over their heads and it never seemed to go away. Not for their parents... and not for them.

As he turned back with his offering, Simi deliberately let him keep his silence on the matter and eyed the chocolate with a covetous look. Her sapphire eyes twinkled a bit as she reached for the Reeses Peanut Butter cups.

"OHHHHH.... CHOCOLATE! The mandatory first aide kit for any ailment! To bad it doesn't really work the magic Professor Lupin insisted it did on Harry Potter!" the little blond exclaimed cheekily before opening the wrapper carefully and shooting her companion a bit of a grin. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if it was actually some kind of cure all drug that could heal any type of injury or illness? Not that it isn't the most precious resource known to man already but...."

Pulling the dark cup wrapper away from the treat, she practically shoved the whole thing in her mouth and moaned in delight even as her jaw twitched with an achy pain as she chewed. The candy tasted like Heaven on her tongue and she savored the bliss by closing her eyes. When the morsel was gone, she studied the other cup while licking the chocolate off her finger tips.

Finally, deciding that it could wait, she turned brilliant eyes to Ryder to find him channel surfing. As he spread through the listings, Simi twisted the top off her coke and took a drink of the cool liquid. The sight of dried blood and grunge from hospital tape caught her attention and she groaned.

"Um..... Ryder? I'm going to slip into the bathroom for a bit...... I think getting cleaned up might be in order since I probably look like I escaped from some institute for battered women and I doubt my hair looks much better... Some semblance of normalcy is probably called for..."

Scooting gently off the side of the bed, she grimaced but sent him a bit of a grin. Her eyes danced with self mocking mischief as she swatted playfully at his feet on her way by.

"And no comments from the peanut gallery.... I'm sure your your dieing to say something about that one." she teased before hobbling for the bathroom door. As he made a move to get up, she held up her hand and gave him a fierce look. "Take a load off, Winchester..... I can handle this.... I'll call if I need you, all right? I'm hurt.. Not dead. My brother would never let me hear the end of it if I used it as an excuse to be babied. OH THE SHAME!"

Finishing with light note of amusement, she continued to the bathroom and then stepped inside.

Once there, she shut the door and then dropped down on to the toilet seat in order to catch her breath. Once she was steady again, she turned on the water and then went about the business of disrobing before stepping carefully under the water. It was a difficult business at best and down right agonizing at worse.

Fortunately, the feel of the warm water on her body was relaxing and she began to take inventory of her injuries. Her slender body was one massive bruise and breathing hurt on her right side. Miraculously though, it seemed as if most of the damage was superficial. She'd have a few more scars to hide away and was now minus a spleen that had been removed in surgery but otherwise... She was not the worse for wear. Amazingly.

Eventually, Simi found her leg muscles beginning to quiver and knew the extent of her strength had been spent. Turning off the water with shaking hands, she stepped out of the shower with a clean slate and gentle wrapped a large, fluffy white towel around her body. Leaning heavily against the sink counter, she reached out and rubbed a circle on the steam soaked mirror.

For a long while, she simply stared at herself and her bruised face. An ugly gash ran across the left side of her face from her scalp down to the far side of her eyebrow and then almost to her ear. It had been stitched up neatly but would no doubt leave a fresh scar. From there, her right cheek was black and blue, no doubt from Greggs savage backhand, and her right eye was rimmed with dark bruises. All in all, she supposed she could look worse but the feminine side of herself still groaned at the thought of looking like someones punching bag in front of Ryder.

Yeah, she had some major issues if that was something that concerned her at the moment! It was almost enough to make her wanna laugh in hysterical amusement.

Shaking her head at her own thoughts, Simi cracked open the bathroom door and called out.

"Hey Ry?? Um... You don't happen to have another tshirt and a pair of sweats I could borrow do you??"

As she waited for his response, the little blond figeted and leaned on the door frame for support. Exhaustion was setting in fast and the pain was back in spades.