Hunters Match

Chapter Twelve

I rushed through the museum, were I worked and entered a door marked staff only. As soon as I stepped through the door I felt myself start to relax. I loved my job, cataloguing the collections, researching ancient artifacts and making sure our displays were kept up to date was like therapy to me. The smell of ancient texts and the hushed tones of my colleagues calmed my racing thoughts.
Florence, my best friend and my boss met me as I entered looking pointedly at her watch.
"I'm so sorry Im late, I've had the morning from hell" I dumped my bag at my work station and started setting up for the day ahead, we had just had a new collection of Japanese artifacts arive and I was itching to start going through it.
"You certainly pick your days" Florance moaned "we need all hands on deck to get things ready for the charity auction tomorrow night. Neil hasn't even started clearing out the main hall yet and we still need to set up the dance floor and tables and Susan has somehow managed to misplace the guest list. Which reminds me you still haven't RSPV'd yet."
" Please Flo you know I hate those things, I don't do small talk or as you call it networking and I certainly don't have anything to wear" I pulled back my hair and secured it with a claw clip then reached for a pair of soft cotton gloves. "Not so fast young lady, I know you want to get started on the new collection but I really need your help today"
I huffed and begrudgingly pulled off my gloves, sounding more like Florence's fourteen year old granddaughter then the twenty six year old woman I was.
"And" Florance carried on ignoring my small outburst "as our resident expert on religious artifacts you need to be there tomorrow night, it is in aid of Christians Against Poverty after all. You've spent so much time organising the displays you deserve to enjoy it"
"If you think I'm gonna enjoy a bunch of stuffy old men with their trophy wife's fighting to prove whose got the most money then you don't know me at all and I'm afraid we can no longer be friends" I let out a dramatic sigh.
"Oh I know you and I know if I didn't force you out of your comfort zone every now and again you would spend every night in, with your head stuck in a book, eating ice cream out of the tub, now find Susan and help sort out this guest list situation" giving me no time to argue Florance turned and walked away towards her office.
"Eating out of the tub saves me doing dishes" I shouted after her determined to get the last word. Florance kept on walking giving me the finger as she left.
The rest of the morning was spent rushing around ticking off jobs on the list Florance had unceremoniously dumped in front of me "get through that list and I may consider letting you leave early so you can shop for something to wear" she had offered and while I hated shopping, I knew I had lost the argument and I would be needing something to wear to the ball. I had just finished setting up the lots for the auction when Nevil, our longest serving employee approached me "hey there Amy, there's a couple of suits wanting to talk to you"
"Me, why, who are they?" I really didn't have time for any interruptions.
"FBI" Nevil whispered and looked around nervously like he was disclosing a state secret by telling me "Florance told them to wait in storage room three for you and told me to come get you"
"FBI what do they want with me" I racked my brain trying to come up with a reason.
"They was asking questions about the new collection. Florance thought you would be the best person to answer them"
"Oh Ok" I let out a sigh of relief "Well you could have led with that Nevil" Nevil just shrugged his shoulders and shuffled off.
I made my way to the storage room trying to think of reasons the FBI would be interested in the new collection. As I pushed through the double doors I couldn't quiet believe what I was seeing. Dean was stood near my work station rifling through my paperwork. He was wearing a cheap blue suit but damn did he look hot in it. He had aged since I met him. His hair was croped short and his face had a hint of stubble. As I watched he frowned then looked up his eyes finding mine instantly. For the second time that day I found myself drowning in those pools of green. This time I was the one to break the contact as I saw movement at the other side of the room. OK now this day was officially getting wierd Sam the handsome stranger from this morning was bent down in front of my bookcase running his fingers softly over the spines of my research book. I took a step into the room, Dean didn't move he just stood and stared. I cleared my throat and Sam stood up and turned to me. "Sam" I smiled "it's nice to see you again, Hello Dean" I turned to him, my face bland and nodded.
Both men looked from each other, to me and back to each other again "You know him" they both said at the same time while lifting a hand and pointing at each other. I had to laugh at the identical look of confusion on their faces. "Wait, Sam, Sammy" now it was my turn to look confused "your brothers"
"No shit sherlock" Dean grumbled coming around from my table and reaching into his jacket "but were also FBI" he pulled out his badge "and we'd like to ask you about the weapons you've just received" I held my ground as he walked towards me even though every fiber in me was trying to split in two. The need to flee fighting with the need to throw myself into Dean's arms. Sam looked quizzically between us before a rush of realisation crossed his face "Amy, she's your Amy" he said to his brother. Dean flushed pink and looked down at the floor "Well she's not mine Sam, at least not anymore" he mumbled. I felt a pang of longing at his words what would it be like to belong to Dean Winchester? I shook my head and brought myself back to the moment. "So your telling me you two are brothers as well as FBI?" I scoffed. Dean was still looking down at the ground probably lost in his own what ifs, so it was left upto Sam to answer "Ha well OK you got us, but we realy do need your help Amy"
"Well I'm not sure how I can, we've only just got the collection and I hadn't had much chance to study it."
"Actually we were wondering what you could tell us about the Sword of the Demon"
"You mean the Onimaru Kunisuna, well not a lot I'm afraid Sam, the weapons don't come to me, they go up to the second floor. Neil is our resident arms expert."
"The second floor you say" Dean joined in the conversation "and how do we get up there"
"You don't" the more time I spent near Dean the easier it became to ignore the feelings he evoked in me. "We keep all weaponry locked up pretty tight. You need a key card for the elevator"
"But you can get you in there right"
"I can but why do you need to know all this, if you have questions I can get Neil for you, I mean he's pretty busy setting up for tomorrow night but I'm sure he'll talk to th FBI " I rolled my eyes as I said the last part.
"Look Amy" it was Sam who spoke this time "we really need that sword, we need it for a case"
"A case what type of case, oh do you mean a hunt" I looked at Dean "your still hunting?"
Dean eyes met mine briefly, both of us lost briefly in the memories of the last time we were on a hunt together, although at the time I didn't realise that's what it was, and it's disastrous consequences.
Once again it was Sam who spoke " we are and it's vitality important we get our hands on that sword"
"Wait you mean you want to take the sword, that's impossible, I mean maybe if you were the real FBI but there would be countless forms and paperwork, there's no way you could just walk out with it"
"I know it's a lot Amy but you would be able to get it for us, or at least get one of us access" I cut Sam off before he could say any more.
"You want me to steal from the museum, the placed I've worked at for the past 3 years, this place is like a second home to me, it would mean stealing from my best friend, you can't ask that, you can't do that! I can't lose this job it's all I've got" I was tired from a restless night, tied with the emotions of seeing Dean again and being severely decaffeinated everything began to feel way to much. I started to hyperventilate feeling the beginnings of a panic attack.
Suddenly Dean was in front of me his face bearly inches from mine. I felt his hands run soothingly up and down my arms. "Hey it's ok, just breathe" his voice was soothing "were not asking you to do anything ok" I nodded weakly "I mean it Amy the sword doesn't matter it can stay here and me and Sam will find another way"
"I'm sorry it's just I've worked so hard to get here"
"Is OK Baby" Dean pulled my head into his shoulder and wrapped me in his arms. His familiar scent engulfed me and I felt myself start to relax. He rubbed his large hand up and down my back.
"Dean" Sam's voice intruded on our intimate moment.
"No Sam" Dean's voice held no room to argue "we'll find another way"
"But"
"For fucks sake Sam I said no" Deans angry words where the exact opposite to the soothing motions he was making while still holding me lightly in his arms. "Listen Amy I've made plenty of mistakes in my life but my biggest one was hurting you. I will never hurt you again I swear, I'll protect you from now on Ok"
Sam snorted in disapproval "your gonna have a hard time protecting her, from Hell Dean" he scoffed.
This made me raise my head from Dean's shoulder "What does that mean" I looked between the two brothers "Dean? Sam?"
"Its nothing Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about it"
Sam threw his arms up in disgust and stormed out the door. As soon as we were alone the air in the room thickened. I swallowed audibly as Dean used his thumb to wipe a stray tear from my cheek. "Hi Amy" he gave me a watery smile. "Hi Dean" my arms snaked up over his shoulders and he hugged me tightly. We stayed that way for a long time. Both of us relishing in the feel of each other again.
We were interrupted by someone softly clearing their throat behind us. Dean and I disengaged from each other and I turned to see Florance staring at us with a perplexed look.
"So I'm guessing you two know each other?" She smirked at me
"Florance this is Dean he's an old friend of mine, Dean this is Florance my very bossy and very nosey boss" I flapped my hand between the two of them.
"Well this is perfect" Florance clasped her hands over her heart. "Now you have someone to go to the ball with Amy" she turned to Dean "were having a charity event tomorrow night and Amy is in need of a date, how do you feel about being her knight in shining armour Dean"
Dean looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but here "oh I don't know I'm not realy a champagne and canapé type of guy. I more beer and bacon"
"Oh come now Dean, you can't let Amy go by herself"
I shot Florence a dirty look but she just grined back at me.
"Wha..what, Amy you're going to be there" Dean was starting look slightly queezy.
"Unfortunately yes, I have to be" I eyed Dean suspiciously, had the two brothers been planning something for tomorrow night.
"Oh right, that's good then" his eyes wonderd around the room looking anywhere but at me.
"So Dean.." Florence prompted.
He continued looking around the room now refusing to look at either of us, but Florance was certainly persistent " are you free tomorrow night"
Dean finally looked at her and rubbed his hand nervously on the back of his neck before clearing his throat loudly "Well the thing is.." he finally looked at me "well actually I .. well.." He looked back to Florance being unable to hold eye contact with me " I actually already have a date for the party tomorrow" he looked back at me pointedly "but I don't worry I'm not going to go anymore like I said it's not my scene"
The thought of Dean having a date made me irrationally angry.
"Oh don't cancel on my behalf Dean, I'm sure you and your girlfriend will have a lovely time"
"Like I said Amy, I'm not going" Dean's voice was stern in response to my sarcastic tone.
"OK then, I guess I'll get back to work" Florance said as she backed out the room.
Dean and I stood silently for a while, the atmosphere frosty. He took a big sigh and turned to me "OK Amy, the truth, Sam and I were looking for a way to steal the Demon sword. I managed to get in contact with one of the board members daughter. I took Leslie out.."
"Leslie! Leslie Connell?" I knew Leslie she was beautiful with long legs and blonde hair she was the exact opposite of me.
"Yeah Leslie, well I got an invite and we were just looking for a way to get Sam in, that's one of the reasons why we came here today"
I took a minute to take it in "so now your not stealing the sword your not going to go?"
"Thats right"
"What do you need the sword for Dean" I asked "it seams like an awful lot of trouble it must be important"
"Oh I don't know it wasn't that much trouble" Dean wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
I pushed him in the shoulder and started to walk away.
"What too soon" he called after me.
I shook my head at him "your an idiot"
He smiled widely "but a lovable one right"
"Mmm I'm not sure about that" It felt good, teasing with Dean, there were still the terrible memories and the hurt we had caused each other but the feeling of comfort that had been there since we first met was still strong. "So are you going to tell me about this hunt your on"
"Theres not much to tell, without the sword theres not much point"
"And is it life and death, I mean without the sword will people die" I knew Dean saved people, that was a big part of the family business.
Dean was quiet for a moment before he answered "no one that matters' he said solemnly
"I do wish I could help you it's just that...."
"Amy you have nothing to be sorry for ok now let's forget that stupid sword"
He waited for me to agree "now I know your busy and I should probably go and find Sam" He looked reluctant to leave. "I'd love to see you tonight but I'm gonna have to find Leslie and let her down gently"
Images of Dean 'letting Leslie down gently' filled my head and I felt myself getting angry again.
"OK than you, you enjoy that and I guess I'll maybe see you again one day" my sudden coolness towards him left him looking confused.
"Oh Ok then I, ahem,  well yeah, see you around Amy" he glance back before he left the storage room. I didn't look up pretending that I had already dismissed him but my head was full of visions of him and the perfect Leslie Connell.