Written by: KariGorsuch

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. Jesus.

Eve was barely holding it together. And honestly? So was I.

I turned in the direction of Bobby's study, my boots barely making a sound against the creaky floorboards as I moved. My heart was still hammering from what she'd said.

"Maybe this life isn't for me."

That hit harder than I wanted to admit, seeing how she was the one who was completely obsessed with this type of stuff.

I knew she was struggling- who wouldn't be, after everything that had happened in such a short amount of time? But hearing her say it out loud, the exhaustion in her voice... I had to fix this.

Before I could think about how, I reached the stairs and froze. Voices.

Sam and Dean were still in the house, talking low and serious with Bobby. I couldn't make out the words, but it seemed like they were talking about the Vampire cult.

I took a breath and forced myself forward, moving lightly down the stairs. I had to be careful. I wasn't about to risk them finding out about Eve before we had a plan.

The study was dimly lit, a few books scattered haphazardly on the desk. Stepping through the doorway, I immediately started scanning the shelves, which were far neater thanks to Eve's organization.

Skimming through a couple books, I stacked a few that could be useful on a small pile on the desk.

"What exactly are you looking for?" Sam's voice broke the silence, making me jump.

I spun around, heart pounding, gripping the edge of the desk like it could somehow steady me. Sam leaned against the door frame, one arm braced above his head, the other hooked into a belt loop by his thumb. "Damnit, Sam," I hissed, pressing hand to my chest as I drank in the sight of him. "You trying to give me a heart attack?"

Sam arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Could ask you the same thing. You're sneaking around Bobby's library like you're looking for something you don't want us to know about."

I scoffed, shifting my weight, trying to play it cool. "First off- I wasn't sneaking. Second, That whole thing got me thinking- there's a ton that I don't know about Vampires. Figured I've got an entire library that I can read while we're here, might as well make use of it."

Sam didn't budge from the doorway, his gaze flicking from me to the books on the desk. His jaw tightened just slightly- subtle, but enough to tell me he wasn't buying it.

"You sure this isn't about Eve?" His voice was calm, but the weight behind it hit me like a freight train.

"Why would it be about Eve?" I countered, aiming for casual but landing somewhere closer to mildly defensive.

Sam exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Come on, Bri. We've all seen it- She's not herself. She hasn't eaten since we got back, she turned down coffee, and now you're in here checking out every book on vampires you can find?"

I hesitated, my fingers tapping against the cover of one of the books. I could feel the truth clawing its way up my throat, screaming to be let out.

Tell him. Let him help. It's Sam- He's going to figure it out eventually.

But Eve's voice was louder. You can't tell Sam.

So I smiled, forced and light. "Look, I get it. You're worried. We all are. But this is normal for when Eve goes through hell. She'll be okay."

I pushed away from the desk, stepping up to Sam. His eyes searched mine, still laced with suspicion. I could see the gears turning in his head, the way he was analyzing every twitch of my face, every flicker of hesitation. He was good at reading people, and I was barely keeping my poker face together.

"What about you?" He asked, tilting his head slightly as he adjusted leaning against the door frame, arms crossing over his chest.

I blinked, "What about me?"

"You're acting differently too." His voice was steady, careful, but there was something sharp underneath. "You're deflecting again. I thought we got past this?"

I swallowed hard, dropping my eyes to the floor. "I'm not deflecting," I muttered.

"Brianna, you're acting like Eve was turned while she was with them." My eyes shot to his, heart hammering in my chest.

"What?" My voice came out just above a whisper.

Sam pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer, his eyes sharp and unreadable. "You're not stupid Bri. And neither am I. You don't start digging through Bobby's library on Vampire lore unless you already know something."

I let out a short, nervous laugh, shaking my head. "Come on, Sam. You really think-"

"Yeah. I do." His voice was calm, but the sharpness underneath was unmistakable. His jaw clenched, fingers twitching like he was holding something back. "Eve was different down there. Stronger. Faster. And now you're in here, sneaking around for answers?" He exhaled slowly, his gaze unwavering. "Just tell me the truth."

I hesitated, a thousand thoughts scrambling in my head. Every instinct screamed at me to keep my mouth shut- I promised Eve. But Sam wasn't going to let this go. Not now. "Sam..." My voice wavered, and I hated how weak it sounded. "It's not what you think."

"Then tell me what it is." Sam's tone shifted, demand lacing his words as he stepped forward. I took a couple of steps back until the desk was pressed against my back, creating a small distance between us.

"Don't put me in this position, Sam. Please." I pleaded softly, shaking my head. "Don't make me lie to you."

Sam's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "Bri," he said, quieter, but there was no less weight behind it. "You already are."

I flinched, a cold shiver running down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself, my gaze dropping to the floor, unable to meet his anymore.

Sams' eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp. "You're lying to me, Bri. You've lied to me just about every day since this whole thing started."

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling like it was closing up. "Sam, please..."

He sighed, stepping back. "One day, I hope that you trust me enough not to lie to my face Brianna."

I flinched at the weight of his words, my stomach churning. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, I reached a hand out towards him, seeking his hand.

Sam paused for a moment, watching me, his eyes flickering with something like hesitation. But he didn't move forward, didn't reach for my hand.

I promised Eve I wouldn't tell him. But maybe I could show him instead.

I swallowed again, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe. My hand trembled slightly as I held it out toward him, desperate for some kind of connection, some way to bridge the gap that had formed between us. His eyes flickered between my outstretched hand and my face, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. My heart broke a little bit more the longer it took for him to react.

"Sam..." I whispered, voice breaking under the strain. "Please."

For a long moment, I thought he might turn and walk away. The short amount of space between us could have been miles. Ever so slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against mine tentatively.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, I adjusted our hands so that I had a slightly better hold, then gently pulled him towards the stairs, giving him the chance to pull away.

Sam didn't pull away. Instead, his fingers tightened around mine, just enough to let me know that he wasn't going anywhere. We moved toward the stairs, and I pulled him up the stairs towards the room Eve and I shared.

I raised an eyebrow when Dean came down the stairs, dressed in clean jeans and a faded t-shirt, hair still damp from a shower. Dean stopped in his tracks, glancing from Sam, to me, to our intertwined hands. A slow, mischievous grin took over his face, and he winked.

"Well, well..." Dean drawled, taking a slow step down towards us. "Didn't take you two long to get to this stage of the evening, huh?"

I felt the heat rise in my face. "We're not- just- No, Dean."

Dean's grin widened as he took another step down, clearly enjoying the awkward tension he'd created. "Oh, come on, Bri. I'm just sayin' -wrap it before you tap it, right?"

I groaned, my face burning with embarrassment. "DEAN. Stop."

Dean just grinned wider, clearly not ready to let it go. Before I could snap at him again, the door to the room Eve and I slept in creaked open above us.

"Do you mind?" Eve called out, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She tugged her shirt down over her damp hair, looking less than thrilled to be interrupted.

Dean froze, his gaze raking over Eve as he turned to face her. She stood there, arms crossed, a sharp eyebrow raised.

"I was just-" Dean started, but Eve cut him off with a pointed look.

"Yeah, I know what you were doing," she said dryly. "But maybe you could keep it down? Some of us are trying to enjoy their time."

Dean held up his hands, a sheepish grin replacing his smug expression. "Alright, alright. I'm out."

I pulled Sam the rest of the way up the stairs and into the room we shared, my hand still clutching his. He paused right inside the door, his eyes locked onto Eve's bed, where Dean's belt laid casually on the covers.

I raised an eyebrow at Eve, but didn't comment. Releasing Sam's hand, I moved over to my bed and sat down, drawing my knees up to my chest.

"What the hell happened, Bri? I thought you were getting books?" Eve demanded, sitting on her bed. She tugged Dean's belt under her pillow as she caught Sam's eye. "Why is he looking at me like that?'

"Eve..." I frowned, letting my legs stretch out in front of me as Sam slowly dropped onto the edge of the bed beside me.

"...Bri..." Eve's eyes flickered between Sam and me before she shot up from her bed. "...you didn't -?"

"- No, you sort of just did." I frowned, watching Sam's jaw tighten and his eyes focus on Eve.

"Fuck." Eve gasped, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Shit."

"Eve..." I stood up and moved toward her, but Sam caught my wrist, pulling me back gently.

"...seriously Sam? It's Eve," I muttered, trying to step closer.

"Not anymore." Sam muttered, his tone sharp.

I felt the tension shoot up like a crackling wire. Eve's glare could've burned a hole in the wall, and I realzied in that moment that I was standing right in the line of fire.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Sam?" Eve growled, her eyes starting to turn bloodshot again.

"Eve..." I tried to back her away from Sam, but my nerves were already on edge as Sam slowly rose from the bed.

"Sam, Goddammit!" I called out as Sam's posture stiffened.

"You think because I was turned - against my will, mind you - that I'm not me?" Eve snapped, taking a step back and glaring at Sam.

"I'm still me, Sam," her voice wavered, but her words were steady.

"Are you?" Sam countered, voice calm but cutting.

"I avoided eating Dean, didn't I?" Eve shot back, her voice cracking slightly. I watched the glowing energy she had when we first entered the room flicker and fade a little.

"...you did manage to avoid that." Sam admitted reluctantly, taking my hand to gently pull me back as tension thickened the air.

"But who's to say you can't control it next time -?" his voice was low, calculating, and the way he held onto my hand made my nerves spike.

"- Are you fucking kidding?! Hints the books, Winchester." Eve's voice was low but dripping with sarcasm. She gestured toward the door as her gaze flickered to Sam's grip on my hand. "What? You think I'm going to eat my best friend?"

"How the hell do I not know you won't?" Sam asked, his voice tight with suspicion.

I yanked my hand out of his grip, glaring up at him. "Bri, she's -"

"- She's my best friend." I shot back, my voice firm. My jaw clenched as I moved closer to Eve. "You said I needed to trust you, Sam..." I smirked, glancing at Eve with a flicker of confidence. "...maybe you need to trust me too."

Sam stood there, clearly conflicted, his gaze flickering between me and Eve, weighing his options.

With an eye roll, I added, "Either trust me with this...or..." I sighed, looking at Eve before glancing back at Sam. "...if you want to kill her, you're going to have to go through me."

Eve immediately stepped back, looking appalled. Sam's expression softened at my words, but Eve's eyes were wide, a mix of shock and concern.

"Bri," Eve said quickly, shaking her head. "You're not about to do that! You're not putting yourself in harm's way for my sake - and you're definitely not picking between me and Sam..."

I gave her a small, sad grin. "Obviously- because it would be you, every time."

Eve's expression softened, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips as she looked at me. There was so much emotion in that look, I could feel the weight of it pressing on my chest.

Sam swallowed hard, clearly torn, his eyes flicking back and forth between the two of us.

"Sam," I said, ignoring Eve's pleading gaze as I focused on him. "That's why I was grabbing those books downstairs." I gestured to the floorboards, trying to hold his attention. "We were going to figure out alternative ways to sustain Eve -"

"- Until you find the cure?" Sam interrupted, his voice cautious.

Both Eve and I froze, wide-eyed, at his words.

"There's a cure?" Eve almost squealed, stepping closer to me, her face lighting up with hope.

"Uh," Sam hesitated, glancing between the two of us, then slowly lowered himself back onto the edge of the bed, visibly trying to gather his thoughts. "Yeah."

"What?!" Eve and I gasped in unison, our voices filled with disbelief and, for the first time in weeks - hope. We shared a glance, the weight of Sam's revelation sinking in.

"Where can we find it?" Eve asked eagerly, her eyes burning with a mix of determination and hope. She took a step closer to Sam, almost bouncing with excitement. "We can find it sooner rather than later...and I can have coffee again!"

Sam took a deep breath, clearly caught off guard by her enthusiasm. He glanced at me for a brief moment, and I saw the hesitation in his eyes.

"The cure isn't that simple," he said slowly, running a hand through his hair. "It's not something you just pick up at the corner store. Some of the ingredients are hard to come by."

"Bobby might know where we can get them," I spoke up, running and hand through my hair and catching Sam's eye. "He's got books on just about everything else- something tells me that he'll know where to get this stuff too."

Sam nodded, clearly still processing the idea, but seemed to acknowledge the practicality of it. "You're right," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Bobby probably does have some information we can use- possibly even some of the ingredients. He's been around long enough to know where we can probably find the others.

"Let's get Bobby then," I said, my voice quiet but firm. I turned toward Sam, who was already moving toward the door, and without thinking I reached for his hand.

He didn't hesitate to take it, his fingers brushing against mine, the familiar warmth of his touch grounding me as we moved into the hallway.

Before closing the door behind us, I caught Eve's stature. One of excitement, desperation and with a small glance in my direction, pride.

We didn't speak as we made our way downstairs, the house too quiet in its anticipation. When we reached the hallway just outside of Bobby's office, Sam stopped and turned to face me. His expression was a mixture of frustration and longing, like he was fighting against some inner tension.

I met his gaze, but before I could say anything, he pulled me closer, his hand sliding around the back of my neck as he leaned in. The kiss was sudden, a clash of heat and urgency. His lips were warm, a little rough, and there was no hesitation this time, no uncertainty- just raw, desperate need.

A quiet gasp escaped me as he backed me against the wall, his body pressing closer, heat radiating between us. His thigh slid between mine, just enough to trap me there, his grip firm but far from forceful. My hand fisted in his shirt, holding on like I needed him to keep me grounded.

The kiss deepened, slow and consuming, each brush of his lips stealing the breath from my lungs. It wasn't just hunger- it was something more, something neither of us had the words for.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead resting against mine, our breathing uneven, I felt the tension between us shift. "Thank you, Bri. For trusting me with Eve."

I dropped my gaze to his chest, "Wasn't much about trusting... You're too damn smart for your own good."

Sam let out a breath of quiet laughter, "Yeah, well... I wish you didn't feel like you had to keep things from me."

My eyes shot to his, barely concealed surprise in my gaze. There was no way he could know about the nightmares- I hadn't said anything... to anyone.

Before I could gather my thoughts- before I could even think of a response- Bobby stuck his head out of his study. "You two done makin'goo-goo eyes, or should I give ya a minute?"

Sam sighed, running a hand through his hair as I cleared my throat and slid out from between him and the wall. "Bobby- we were just coming to find you."

He stepped out fully into the hallway, arms crossed, his sharp gaze flicking between us with obvious amusement. "Yeah? 'Cause from where I'm standin' Sam's about to be sleepin' in the Impala."

I huffed, crossing my arms as I shot Bobby a glare. "It's not like that..."

Bobby snorted. "Uh-huh. And I'm the damn Tooth Fairy."

Sam let out another sigh, clearly deciding not to dignify that with a response. Instead, he shifted gears. "Bobby, we need your help." He paused, exchanging a glance with me. "Eve was turned. I know there's a cure- but some of the ingredients are hard to find."

Bobby's teasing expression instantly hardened, his posture straightening as his sharp eyes flicked between the two of us. "Come again?"

I swallowed, shifting slightly beside Sam. "Eve... She got turned, Bobby. Somebody forgot to mention that there is a cure."

Bobby stared at us, his expression unreadable for a long, tense moment. Then, with a heavy sigh, he muttered, "Son of a bitch."

He rubbed a hand over his face, then fixed Sam with a sharp look. "And you're just now bringin' this to me?"

"I only just found out she was turned," Sam defended, his jaw tightening. "If I'd known sooner-"

Bobby held up a hand, silencing him. "Alright, alright. No use cryin' over spilled milk. What exactly are we talkin' about here? What kind of cure?"

Sam exhaled, stepping forward. "It's not just one thing. It's a mix—some rare herbs, ancient purification rituals... and—" He hesitated, his throat working around the next words. "—the blood of the one who turned her."

"So we need to find out where the rest of them went," I whispered, looking between Bobby and Sam.

Bobby's frown deepened, his fingers tapping against the edge of his desk. "Well, that's just peachy. You got any idea where these sons of bitches ran off to?"

Sam glanced at me before shaking his head. "No. But the last Vampire we faced- Jessie- he mentioned 'The Chief.' Something about how they wanted Bri, alive."

Bobby stilled against the desk, his gaze sharpening. "The Chief?" he repeated, his voice edged with something between suspicion and concern. "That mean anything to either of you?"

I swallowed, shaking my head. "Jessie didn't say much—just that The Chief wanted me alive. He seemed afraid to even talk about it."

Bobby muttered a curse under his breath, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Damn bloodsuckers always got some kinda hierarchy. If this 'Chief' wanted you alive, that means you're important to 'em for some reason." His eyes flicked to Sam. "And I doubt it's just 'cause they think she's cute."

Sam's expression darkened. "Then we find out why. If we can track these vamps down, we get the blood we need—and we figure out what the hell they wanted with Bri in the first place.

Bobby dug a phone out from his desk, "I've got some contacts who might have heard somethin'. Have you told Dean yet?"

Sam and I exchanged a quick glance. I hesitated, then shook my head. "Not yet," I admitted.

Bobby sighed, already looking exasperated. "Bri, you and Eve should get out of here for a couple of hours."

I frowned. "Bobby-"

"Don't argue with me, Bri," he cut in, fixing me with a firm look. "Dean is gonna blow a gasket when he hears about this, and I'd rather not have you and Eve caught in the crossfire. Dean already blames himself for most of this..."

"You're sure?" I pressed, a flicker of worry knitting in my stomach. I hated the idea of leaving Sam and Bobby to deal with Dean- especially since it had to do with Eve.

"Positive," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You two clear your heads, take a breather. We'll handle the fallout."

I glanced at Sam, who gave me a small nod, the tension in his shoulders saying he agreed with Bobby's assessment.

"Alright," I murmured, heading back up the stairs to grab Eve. My thoughts raced, my heart hammering at the thought of Dean's inevitable explosion.

When I got to our room, Eve was pacing, her fingers twitching like she was itching for a fight. Her head shot up when I walked in. "What's going on? Did you tell them?"

I nodded, changing to a clean pair of whitewashed skinny jeans and a low-cut tank top. "Yeah, and now Bobby wants us out of here while they break the news to Dean."

Eve paused, her frown and worry deepening before she quickly followed my lead. She changed into a pair of black skinny jeans, a hot pink halter top with matching chuck taylors and we headed back down the stairs, slipping out the kitchen door to the Mustang.