Burn It to the Ground

Kassia's POV

Jabbing myself painfully with a tiny needle, I stitched up my cut while staring at my battered reflection in the small mirror on the passenger visor of the car. The needle wasn't even close to the agony I was feeling about this entire case. I was so frustrated with myself and what the shape-shifter had told me earlier that night, before Sam charged in with a sawed-off shotgun and hitting it dead center of its heart. Bringing up Dad in a conversation- why was it so hard for me to tolerate it? I suppose it was because I always blamed him for me not having a normal, happy-go-lucky lifestyle like all my old high school friends that I had to leave behind. Hunting was our job because of the demon who killed the mother I never knew. We probably won't ever find that damn bastard.

The driver side door opened hastily, after I finished up the last stitch and started cleaning the sharp needle. I looked like something from a horror movie- hell, our whole life lives among a horror movie, what was I talking about? Maura's worried face stared at me blankly as she slide across the tan seat, closing the door behind her. "I know what your going to say. I should've waited until we went to get professional medical attention to maintain my wonderful face, but you know how I am around hospitals and creepy, pedophile doctors." I declared sternly, not batting an eye once while she sat there staring at my soon-to-be hellish scar.

"No," she replied in a daze, veering her eyes back at mine and smirking stupidly. "You look like a freakin' Chuckie doll sugar... But you did a good job yourself." She might have been laughing, but I wasn't amused- it was more of an insult as how I took it. I narrowed my eyes back at her. She stopped laughing and her smirk slightly fell, "Oh come on Kass, you know I'm just messing with you."

"Well don't-" I demanded coldly, folding the mirror back up and tossing the materials back in the first aid box. Shoving it roughly under the seat again, I dazed out the window just to avoid Maura's gaze, nagging at me or about to anyway. It was surprising how a stupid shape-shifter could make me feel so hateful towards my reckless and caring sister. Everything was being contradicted by my blistering stubbornness- I inherited that from my father all too well.

Maura's eyes clumsily fell to the floor, sighing and shifting her weight in distress. "Kass, I'm sorry-" she said softly, voice cracking as if she was about to choke on her own tears, but she was tougher than that. As much as I wanted to tell her I've put this whole thing behind me, it would've been a lie. I was no where near satisfied.

I jerked my head her direction, where her eyes were in some state of mind. "What's your apology for?" I questioned in a harsher tone than intended. Her eyes shot up at me while I continued my spiel. "Sorry for calling Dad on a hunt that we were capable of accomplishing without his help, or sorry for going behind my back to calling him when you knew damn well I'd fuss over it?"

The pity in her eyes was attempting with every thing she had, to tell me she didn't mean to be so thoughtless. "You can hate me all you want, but I'm pretty sure that calling the man on every blue moon to let him know his daughters are okay, and haven't been eaten by demons yet, isn't a crime." She stated, determined to get my attention when I turned my head staring out the windshield aimlessly. "Kassia, you're my sister and I love you. I don't want this all to get in the way of our eh- sisterly love?"

I paused, inhaling and exhaling softly. She had a point that I couldn't refuse. "It's still not going to change the way I feel about you going behind my back." I told her blankly, watching as tractor trailers race down the quiet highway. "I love you too, Maura, but you of all people should know that keeping things from the ones you care most about always unleashes cruelly." She nodded briefly, most likely taking in everything in on my statement. I wasn't sure if it was the right time to open the door and tell her I wanted to go to bed, but I did anyhow. "I'm going back to the room."

"Wait-" Maura pulled on my arm as I was already halfway out the door, and sitting me back down on the seat. "You realize now that the hunt is over, we have to go hit the road again..."

Of course I knew that- did she really think that I was going take it kindly when she'd have to pry myself away from Mr. Show-Stopping, Dean Winchester? I got attached maybe a little too much, but I was pretty much stuck with whatever path Maura decided to take. As independent as I was, I felt if I went on my own and something would happen to my sister- I'd be the one to blame, even if she's three years older than me and can take care of herself. I just didn't want that to happen..

"Uh- yeah, I realize that..." I said, confoundedly looking at her serious expression across her face. Sarcastically laughing, I proceeded, "And we're just going to go drive off a hundred miles away 'cross country, forgetting that we ever faced our little run-in with the boys..."

A sigh escaped for Maura's pursed lips. I knew a lecture of some sort was coming- always did when it involved hot men. "Kassia, we aren't going to let a couple, highly attractive, heart-throbbing, sex appealing Winchester brothers get in the way of our hunting." I gazed at her blankly. She wasn't serious- she can't tell me that that was her way to move on and not look back. "Oh who am I kidding? These guys are addictive!"

I let out a small laugh, nudging her sister playfully. "That's my sister," I smiled proudly, hoping deep down that we wouldn't have to argue over Dad for awhile. He was far away, probably dominating more supernatural creatures- that's what he did best. And the bombshell of it all, I actually hoped that he was safe.
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Dean's POV

Did I seriously just tell my brother I had "upstairs brain" feelings for Kassia Valentine?

Yes, I did. As corny as it sounded, she was on my mind more than I would've liked to admit aloud. I told myself before I wouldn't let a woman get too close to me, that she'd get hurt in the whole insane process. I may have be one step too far to turn around anymore. Like I told Sam, I wasn't going to dash off that easy, even if the girls wanted to go on like we were just normal, everyday people- I don't give up.

Veering back onto the highway in my Impala, Sam flipped on the radio to hear "Run To You" by Bryan Adams blaring through the speakers. I know I've told him numerous times not to touch the radio; driver always picks the music. Astoundingly, I didn't hound him for it. I just smirked to myself and continued our way down the highway. Flashbacks started flooding back into memory as the song played, drumming my fingers wildly against the steering wheel. Our random hassle at the little diner, 90 miles from Cheyenne, the sexy speed chase, the pointless stop to The Tumbleweed Bar and one interesting halt at Rachael Lovegood's, after being extruded off her property by her husband, Lee Lovegood. Then of course, you have the search in Cheyenne's sewer system and the battle with a shape-shifter- boy, that all seemed like I was drunk and hallucinating badly.

I drove into the motel parking lot, noticing that the familiar black and gold Firebird was still parked in the same place where we last seen it. The lights were out in their room too. "Do you think their even here?" Sam asked quizzically, staring over at the Firebird as I pulled in next to it. I was sure they were back by now. Sam and I drove out of the way about twenty to thirty miles, just to find an secluded area to dump off the deceased body. Turning back the key to cut the engine, I stared over at the car too, stating, "probably, but wouldn't hurt to find out."

Sam swiftly got out of the car before I could say another word. I'm sure he was just as eager to get back from burying a body, and making sure the girls were alright as much I did. I shrugged my shoulders and caught up with my brother, pounding gently at the door. There was a brief silence, as Sam and I exchanged quick glances. The door slowly opened to reveal a drowsy Maura, staring at us lazily but perked up when she saw Sam. I knew it. "Hey, you guys still have my beer in your room!" Her voice my have been groggy, but she was determined and alert.

I noticed Kassia in a gray beater and black boy shorts, stumbling her way out of the bathroom and not acknowledging our contiguity. Smirking to myself, Maura punched my arm to separate me from my daze, murmuring, "You pervert- now you go fetch me my beer or I'll have to march over there on my own."

"Go right ahead, princess."

She scowled, annoyed with me and my smartness, turning over to Sam. "I'll help you," he told her as she pushed her way passed me, glaring and then paced over to mine and Sam's room. Standing there minding my own business, I wondered whether or not to mosey on in the room, or just stand out there in the eerie, star-full night. A tug on my leather jacket startled me, making me turn around smiling back at the fiery redhead. "Hey you," she said sternly, smirking back at me childishly. Her wound that was below her left eye was now sealed shut by a row of dark stitches. "Hey-" I replied, not really sure what else to say. "You er- your little hack job on your face looks pretty awesome."

Really? Was that the best I could come up with? She rolled her eyes pleasurably. "Yeah, if you call looking like something from a Friday The 13th "awesome", fine by me."

"Nah, I meant that it's cool; makes you look tougher."

"Ha- thanks."

Kassia came in closer to me, leaning over and pecking me on the cheek softly before pulling away with a vibrant, toothy grin. I was a little baffled by the affection, but liked it. "Thanks for trying to protect me," she stated, loosening her smile a little, "even though you did get your ass kicked by a girl who idolized as my sister."

We both laughed together after I replied knavishly, "between you and me, I'm now scared of her."