My World and Hers (a Sam Winchester love story)

Chapter 24: The Deal

<Keira's POV>

"There's nothing in here," I call, setting the dusty Latin text down on the table.

That was...my third book today, I think. I've sort of lost track, since we've all been up for hours reading through ancient books for anymore information on this 'mother of all'. Mother of all headaches, if you ask me, I think as I swallow the rest of my whiskey and make my way to the kitchen for some water.

I really shouldn't be drinking so much, but the numbing effect is helping me focus, strangely enough, and it keeps all the memories from attacking my mind. However, it seems that it doesn't supress all the memories, because I can apparently read several languages that I couldn't before.

Bobby went out on a supply run and promised to get me some vodka. As I'm going through the fridge for a bottle of water to balance out my alchohol intake, I hear someone come into the kitchen.

"Sam?" I ask.

"It's me Keira," he says, and I relax.

I'm always on edge now, naturally. I'm just waiting for Crowely to show up and kidnap me again-even though we have a deal.

"Having any luck?" I ask, forcing myself to be casual as I straighten up.

Sam shakes his head, looking frustrated.

"I'm sure we'll get a break soon," he says, then, "Keira...what's going on?"

I give him a wierd look, not sure what he's talking about.

"Um...you mean other than the Mother of All not even Cas knows what and we can't find anything to stop her with when she'd apparently about to rise?"

He's silent for a second, then nods, making a little face.

"Yeah, other than that."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Okay...I give up. What's going on other than the apparent end of the world-again?"

He stares me in the eyes as he answers.

"You've been acting differently lately. I know this thing with Crowely's had you shaken up...but you've been acting strange."

My heart beat kicks up and I swallow, hoping I haven't already given myself away. From the look on Sam's face, I have.

"Keira," he says, an undercurrent of warning in his voice, "what's wrong? What happened?"

I shake my head.

"Nothing," I lie.

From the look on his face, he's seeing right through it.

In a second, his expression changes from accusing to open and understanding. He moves forward two steps-that's all he need to cover the distance between, he's got long legs-and takes my arm, his grip firm but not painful.

"Keira, you can tell me. Whatever it is, you can say."

I shake my head. I can't tell him. Crowely promised me that if I told anyone, he'd kill Sam and Dean with me watching. I can't let that happen. I just can't. I won't be responsible for the death of the guy I love. No chance.

"I can't," I say softly, "just let it go. Nothing's wrong."

Then I turn on my heel and go out into the living room, where Dean is, hoping Sam will let it drop now that we aren't in privacy. Dean glances up as I enter and gives me a two second smile of acknowledgement before finishing up whatever he'd been reading.

"Find anything?" he asks, throwing back the rest of his whiskey.

I shake my head.

"No. You?"