Written by: KariGorsuch

The cushion of the bucket seat was familiar, like a second skin, as I sank into the driver's seat. My hands traced with steering wheel, the smooth leather grounding me as I glanced over at Eve, who was settling into the passenger seat. My heart gave a subtle tug at the sight of her there, like it always did when she was close.

"You ready for this?" I asked, the weight of the journey already settling in. I sighed heavily as Dean and Sam climbed into the Impala next to us. Shaking my head at their stubbornness, I muttered, "They just had to take both cars."

Eve scoffed and shot a glare at the Impala, her eyes narrowing. "Who the fuck cares?" she shot back. "And, by the way, I'm not ready for this."

I grinned, nudging her a little. "What? 20 hours of just us?" When she didn't respond, my smile faltered and I looked over at her. "What is it?"

"Nope." Eve shut me down immediately, her gaze still fixed ahead. I shrugged and twisted the key, the engine rumbling to life.

Eve's eyes flickered toward me. "You first," She demanded, her tone more serious than I expected.

I frowned, glancing at her before shifting into reverse and easing out of Bobby's yard. With a small honk of the horn, we pulled away, the long road ahead of us stretching out into the horizon. "What's there to tell?"

"You and Sam." Eve's voice was softer now, as she shifted in her seat, adjusting herself for the long ride. "I know something happened, and it wasn't good."

I sighed and tightened my grip on the steering wheel, glancing at the rearview mirror. The Impala was a short distance away, grill glinting in the morning sunlight. "You can read me like a book," I muttered.

Her eyes flickered over to me, and I could see the concern there. I adjusted my feet on the pedals and leaned back slightly in the seat, trying to find some comfort in the familiarity of it all. "He wants a title," I admitted, the words coming out heavier than expected.

Eve was quiet for a beat, digesting what I said. I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head, but she didn't push for more. She just waited for me to keep going, if I felt like it.

I took a breath and exhaled slowly. "He wants things to be... clear. He wants a label on whatever the hell this is." I motioned vaguely between us, my eyes flicking to the rearview again. "It's complicated, Eve. With him, with me. I don't know if I'm ready for all that."

"A title?" Eve echoed, adjusting so she was leaning against the door, facing me fully. "I mean you guys did already have sex..."

"That's not the point." I snapped, but quickly regained my composure. "I don't know what it is between us, but it's strong. And it fucking scares me."

"Sounds familiar," Eve shot back, crossing her arms and leaning her head against the cool window. She looked almost too comfortable as she studied me. "Did he get all upset about that guy talking to you last night?"

"What gave it away?" I snorted, shifting to pass a semi on the double laned ramp as we merged onto the freeway. "He got his panties in a wad about that guy."

"Did he?" Eve raised an eyebrow, a little amused. "Nothing happened, though?"

"No." I rolled my eyes at her curiosity. "We were just chatting- nothing was going to happen..." I sighed into the steering wheel. "...Sam came in, basically staked his claim on me- which, I guess, was kind of my fault. I uh... might have kissed him like he was already mine."

Eve's lips curled into a small, knowing smirk. "Might have, huh?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"I did," I muttered, feeling like an idiot. "I kiss him. And now he's acting like I've signed some sort of fucking contract."

Eve chuckled, but there was something in her voice that wasn't all amusement. "Well, you didn't exactly leave him with a lot of room to question things, did you?"

I clenched my jaw, hands tight on the wheel as I merged into the fast lane. "I wasn't trying to send any goddamn signals. I was just... being impulsive."

"Impulsive is an understatement." She snorted, glancing out the window for a moment before leaning back against the seat. "But, seriously, Bri. You're not stupid. You knew what would happen."

"I didn't expect him to freak out about it though." I blew a frustrated breath, my grip tightening on the wheel as the miles stretched out in front of us. "He's- he's sweet, Eve. He's too fucking sweet sometimes, and I don't know how to handle it."

Eve shifted in her seat, her expression softening just a little. "Sam's not the problem, Bri. You're scared of something that isn't him"

"I know," I whispered.

Eve didn't respond right away. Instead, she let the silence settle between us as the road unraveled ahead, and I could feel her eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her.

"I'm scared of... feeling too much," I finally admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "Of getting too close, of letting someone in, even when I... when I want it so badly."

Eve was quiet for a long moment before she finally spoke, her voice softer than before. "I get it. I really do. But you've gotta ask yourself, Bri—do you want to live in fear, or take the damn risk and see where it goes?"

I took a shaky breath, the weight of her words sinking in. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for that."

"You are," she said simply, the quiet confidence in her tone making me believe it for a second. "You just need to trust yourself, and... trust that maybe Sam's the one who's strong enough to handle you, even when it's messy. I mean, hell... You've allowed yourself to get in bed with him, you have to feel something more for him other than thinking he's a fucking piece of ass."

I shifted uncomfortably. Sure her words were blunt and a little harsh, but she was always one to say what I needed to hear instead of what I wanted to hear. The silence stretched on longer than I expected, and I realized she was waiting for me to answer.

"He's a fine piece of ass." I finally muttered, a small laugh escaping my lips.

Eve let out a giggle, her gaze briefly drifting to the windshield as rain started to pat against it. The moment passed, and the chuckles died down as the weight of everything hung in the air again. I sighed heavily. "This is hard..."

"I know," Eve nodded, her expression softening. She met my gaze, her eyes steady and understanding. "But you need to figure it out, Bri. You don't owe Sam anything, but you owe yourself."

"Fuck, I hate you," I grumbled, shooting her a glare.

"I love you too," she replied without missing a beat, her lips curling into a small smirk. "And you know I'm right."

"I know," I groaned, rolling my eyes as I leaned my elbow against the window, resting my head for a moment. "I've just never felt anything this deep, this strong..."

Eve didn't miss a beat. "Okay, better question—baby steps." She pressed her lips into a fine line, clearly thinking. "How does it feel... when he kisses you?"

Heat rose in my cheeks, and I quickly turned my attention back to the road, but Eve's gaze was practically burning a hole through me. I couldn't ignore it.

"Take your time," Eve added with a sigh, fidgeting with her fingers. "We've got 20 hours."

I groaned, earning a small chuckle from her.

"When he kisses me..." I trailed off, taking a moment to think back on all the times his lips had found mine. I remembered the way his eyes seemed to beg for more, the hunger in them, and the ache that lingered after. "It's like we sort of melt into each other. The whole world just fades away. None of the problems matter."

Eve's smile was a little too knowing, making me chuckle despite myself as I continued.

"It's definitely different," I added, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles were white. "Different seems to fit." I glanced at her, catching her studying my face.

"Different," she repeated, nodding thoughtfully. The word hung between us for a moment, then she pressed on. "Okay, kissing Sam is different. What about when he hugs you?"

I exhaled sharply, trying to focus on the road ahead. "When he hugs me?" I repeated, the question making me shift uncomfortably in my seat. I thought about it for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"Yeah," Eve pressed. "How does it feel when he holds you? Really holds you?"

I couldn't help but pause as I recalled the times Sam had wrapped his arms around me. It was like the world paused in those moments, and everything else melted away. The weight of it all, the fear, the anxiety—it all seemed lighter when he held me.

"It's..." I started, trying to organize my thoughts. "It's like everything else stops, like he's anchoring me to something real. Safe." I felt my throat tighten, my heart beating a little faster just thinking about it. "When he hugs me, it's... like I can breathe again. Like I'm not carrying everything alone."

"Kissing Sam is different," Eve counted off on her fingers, clearly enjoying herself. "Hugging Sam is... Safe."

I couldn't help but grin at her, especially as she pretended to be calculating all of this.

"And what about when he's pressed against the wall and you have no pants on?" She caught me completely off guard, her eyebrow quirked, clearly amused by my reaction. When I blushed, she raised both eyebrows, daring me to answer.

I scoffed, shaking my head at her boldness. "I really need to stop telling you details," I muttered, trying to steer the conversation in another direction. "It was... hot, intense, sweaty—"

"Okay, ew!" Eve held up a hand, a look of mock disgust as she shifted in her seat, turning back to face the dashboard. "I get it. Please stop."

I couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at my lips as I watched her squirm.

"Kissing Sam is different," Eve continued, tapping her chin as though she were analyzing me. "Hugging Sam is safe, and sex..." She paused, glancing at me with a smirk. "Well, that's a whole other category, isn't it?"

"You didn't fully ask me about the sex," I shot back, glancing at her. "You missed all the fun little details about how careful he was- constantly made sure I was okay- and could stop it any time. The way he touched me-"

"Okay- ew-" Eve rolled her eyes, fake gagging. "I didn't have to ask- you said 'hot, intense, and sweaty'- that told me more than enough. Way more than the whole 'pressed against the wall with no pants' thing."

I chuckled at her exasperation, shaking my head.

"Different, safe, hot, intense, sweaty-" she listed, pausing for a beat before looking over at me. "Yep, you've enver described any other guy like that before... And you should see the smile on your face when you talk about him."

"Shut up," I muttered, my gaze flicking to the rearview mirror. The Impala was still on our tail, a few car lengths back, but Dean made a point to stay right in sight, dodging between cars and trucks to keep up with us. I pulled my eyes away and exhaled. "What does that mean, then?"

"That you're smitten," Eve said matter-of-factly, clapping her hands together in excitement. "I'm so happy for you—"

"What does that mean as far as a title goes?" I cut in, pushing for the answer I wasn't sure I wanted.

Eve didn't miss a beat. "That you're in love with him, you big goober."

My face fell, jaw tightening at her words.

"Face it, Bri," she continued, grinning. "He's literally everything you've ever wanted in a guy."

"Like...?" I pushed, deliberately ignoring the L word.

Eve sighed, giving me a look before ticking points off on her fingers. "Different. He's not like other guys—look at what he does for a living. He's quick to defend you, always making sure you're okay and happy—safe." She jabbed a thumb toward the Impala behind us. "And, have you looked at him lately? Hot as hell. Plus, when you two are going at it—whether it's an argument, making out, or full-on sex—it's intense. And sweaty."

A beat of silence stretched between us before she shrugged.

"Tell me I'm wrong, and I'll shut up," she challenged, smirking as she turned to look out the rain-streaked window.

Her words hung in the air, heavy, sinking into me like stones.

"We've only known these guys for a little over a month, Eve..." I exhaled sharply, my focus locked on the road ahead. "There's absolutely no way this is lo—"

"—Well, apparently time is irrelevant," Eve cut in, her voice dripping with frustration. I shot her a glance, but she cursed under her breath and muttered, more to herself than me, "Or it is when it's convenient for some..."

I frowned, my grip tightening on the wheel. "Okay," I sighed, shifting one hand to the wheel while the other popped against my lap to get her attention. My eyes flickered between her and the road. "What the hell happened between you and Dean?"

Eve scoffed, shaking her head as she glared out the window. "What hasn't happened?" she muttered bitterly. "One minute, he's pulling me in, acting like I'm the only damn person in the world, and the next? He's pushing me away like he's suddenly repulsed by the fact that I'm a vampire- one that was turned against my will."

I wallowed, my grip tightening on the wheel. "Eve..."

"No, don't." She shook her head, her voice thick with anger, but beneath it, I heard something else- hurt. "I get it, okay? Dean's got his hang-ups. He was raised to hate monsters, to see things in black and white. And I thought maybe- maybe- I could be an exception. That what we have, what we could have, would be enough for him to see past it."

I stayed quiet, letting her get it all out.

"But every time I think we're getting somewhere, he flips the switch. One moment, he's looking at me like I'm the only thing that matters, the next, he's putting up walls so fast I can barely breathe." She exhaled sharply, raking a hand through her hair. "I don't know if he's just afraid of what it means to want me, or if he genuinely can't handle the fact that I'm-" she cut herself off, shaking her head.

"That you're different?" I finished for her.

She shook her head again, frustration visibly simmering under her skin. "The fucking back-and-forth kills me. And the worst part? The absolute worst part, Bri," she growled, her voice thick with anger, "Is that he knows I want him. I've made it clear, haven't I? I'm not playing some goddamn game. I'm not messing around. But everytime I let my guard down, ready to take a step farther- he backs off. Every. Fucking. Time."

"I'm not asking for a fairy tale, Bri," she said, her voice quiet but sharp, like she was holding onto some last thread of patience. "But I'm tired. I'm tired of waiting around for him to make up his goddamn mind. I'm not a fucking backup plan. I'm not some consolation prize to be picked up when it's convenient for him."

I could see it now—the exhaustion in her eyes, the anger that came from being pulled in two directions at once. She was caught between the monster she'd become and the man she wanted, and the two didn't mix well. It was like watching someone drown and trying to save themselves with one hand tied behind their back.

"You deserve better than this," I said quietly, my heart aching for her.

Eve's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile, but it was close—bitter and twisted. "I know. But I want him, Bri. I want him. And maybe that's the stupid part. Because I keep thinking that if I just hold on long enough, if I just show him I'm not going anywhere, he'll stop being a coward and fucking want me back. But no... he keeps walking away every damn time."

The vulnerability in her voice hit me harder than anything else. Eve, the woman who had always been strong, independent, and unshakable, now sounded like she was barely holding herself together.

"I want him too, Bri," she whispered, her voice cracking just enough for me to hear the raw desperation behind it. "But I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of being the one who has to make every move, every effort. It shouldn't be this hard."

I wanted to reach out, to say something that would make it all feel better for her. But I knew there was nothing I could say that would fix it. This wasn't about fixing; this was about a decision that Dean had to make—and he was too fucking scared to make it.

"You deserve someone who knows what they want, Eve. Someone who won't keep pulling you in only to push you away when things get real."

She nodded, though her eyes never left the road ahead, the rain blurring the world outside. "I know, Bri. I know... But sometimes, I wonder if I'm just too much. Too different for him. Too much of a reminder of all the things he's afraid of."

I could feel her heart breaking with every word. She'd given so much of herself to him, and for what? The back-and-forth was wearing her down, like a slow erosion that left nothing behind but a jagged hole where something good used to be.

"You're not too much, Eve," I said firmly, though I wasn't sure if she could believe it. "You're everything he should want. If he can't see that, then he's not worth the fucking heartbreak."

She gave a short, bitter laugh, shaking her head. "If it was that simple, Bri... I'd let him go. But it's not. I can't just shut it off. And God, I hate it. I hate how much I want him and how much he can't make up his mind about me."

I saw the frustration building in her eyes, and it twisted something inside me. She was caught in a loop of wanting someone who couldn't—or wouldn't—make the decision to fully commit to her. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

"You shouldn't have to fight for someone who can't see you for what you are," I said quietly, my voice steady but with an edge of anger. "You're strong, beautiful, and fucking amazing. He should be the one fighting to keep you, not the other way around."

Eve's hands clenched in her lap, and she let out a shaky breath. "I know," she whispered, but there was a heaviness in her words, like she didn't fully believe it herself. "But every time I think I'm ready to walk away, he does something... something that makes me think maybe, just maybe, he's going to figure it out. Maybe he's going to choose me."

Her voice cracked, and she bit her lip, trying to steady herself. "But then he just... pulls back. Every damn time."

"That's the problem," I said, frustration rising in my chest. "You're playing his game, but he's the one setting the rules—and he's never going to let you win if he keeps playing it like that."

I could see the tears she was holding back. I knew she was barely hanging on, and it made my stomach twist. She deserved so much better.

She turned her face to the side, staring out the window, her shoulders hunched as if she were trying to shrink into herself. "I don't know what else to do, Bri. I've tried everything. I've been patient, I've been there for him when he needed me... but it's never enough. I don't think it ever will be."

I gritted my teeth, my hands tightening on the steering wheel. "You deserve someone who sees you, Eve. Someone who doesn't make you wonder if they're going to walk away the moment things get tough."

"Yeah." She nodded, but her voice was hollow. "But that someone isn't Dean. I don't even know if he can be that person for me." She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "And I hate that. I hate how much I need him to be that person."

We fell into silence again, the sound of the rain pelting the windshield filling the space between us. I didn't know what to say anymore. There were no words that would make it better, no way to erase the hurt she was feeling.

Several hours later, we pulled into a gas station, the Impala following close behind. As I parked at a pump, I could feel the exhaustion weighing on me- physically, emotionally.

The low hum of the engine cut out as I turned the key, and I let out a long breath, the tension in my shoulders seeming to settle just a little.

I stepped out of the car, the cold air hitting me in waves, and moved to the pump. As I started filling up the tank, I glanced at the Impala, watching Sam and Dean climb out and stretch.

Sam's gaze briefly flicked in my direction, his eyes soft but filled with an unreadable emotion. He didn't approach me yet, and I couldn't tell if it was because he was waiting for me to make the first move or if he was giving me space.

Dean, on the other hand, was already heading inside the convenience store, probably looking for coffee or snacks. I could hear the door swing open, the small chime accompanying his entrance.

The pump clicked, signaling the tank was full. I pulled the nozzle out and replaced it with a quick motion, my eyes lingering on Sam for just a moment longer than I meant to. When I finally tore my gaze away, I realized my hands were shaking just slightly, my mind still tangled up in everything Eve and I had talked about.

I leaned back against the car, stretching over the trunk in an attempt to pop my back. My lower back protested the movement, a small whimper of pain crossing my lips.

"You okay?" Sam's voice broke through the quiet. I raised my head slightly to locate him.

He was standing a few feet away, his brow furrowed in concern. His hands were stuffed in his pockets like that would prevent him from reaching for me. I offered him a tight smile, pushing off the trunk, rolling to hide the discomfort.

"I'm fine," I snapped, my voice coming out harder than I intended. I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself and staring at the oil stained ground. "...Sorry."

Sam didn't flinch at my outburst, but I could see the way his jaw tightened, the way he weighed his next words before speaking. "Do you want me- or someone else- to drive?"

"No," I said again, trying to suppress the irritation that was rising. Losing the fight, I lashed out. "What the fuck does it matter to you, Sam? Trying to be the hero again?"

Sam's expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of something- hurt, maybe- flash in his eyes before he shoved it down.

"You really think that's what this is?" He asked, his voice careful and measured.

I scoffed, running a hand through my hair as frustration simmered beneath my skin. "I don't know what this is, Sam- as we discussed last night. "

"Offering to drive has nothing to do with us, Brianna!" he threw his hands out as far as his jacket would let him. "I'm just trying to give you a break."

"I don't need a break," I seethed, pushing off the Mustang to invade Sam's space. "And I don't need you to save me, Sam. I. Am. Fine."

Sam held his ground, his gaze unwavering despite the storm raging in mine. The muscle in his jaw twitched, a telltale sign he was biting back a response.

"Fine," he said at last, his voice clipped. "You're fine."

Without another word, he turned on his heel, heading for the store.

I turned, watching him disappear through the doors. Glancing down into the passenger window, I watched Eve's sleeping figure.

Footsteps caught my attention, pulling my attention away.

I looked up as Dean appreached, phone pressed to his ear. His brows were furrowed in concentration, his lips slightly parted like he was hanging onto every word. But the moment he caught sight of me- and then Eve- he hesitated.

His gaze flickered between us before he pulled the phone from his ear and switched it to speaker.

"Bobby," he muttered.

"Finally. Though I'd have to call the damn president to get ahold of you idjits."

"What do you got Bobby?" I crossed my arms, leaning back on the Mustang.

"I've found the cure. Most of it's pretty easy- Sage and garlic. The harder part is going to be the blood of the one who turned her."

Dean's jaw tightened. "You sure about that?"

Bobby huffed. "I don't make guesses when it comes to this kinda thing, boy. Sage and garlic'll help cleanse the system, but without the blood of the one who turned her, it ain't gonna stick."

I felt my stomach drop. My arms tightened across my chest as I glanced at Eve, who was still sleeping soundly in the Mustang.

Dean ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Great. Just great."

My mind raced. "Do we even know who turned her?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Bobby sighed on the other end. "That's the real bitch of it, ain't it? You better hope Eve knows."

"I bet she does. She took that other fucker... Jessie- down with a vengeance," I muttered.

The gas station door swung open with a chime, and I instinctively glanced towards it.

Sam.

Quickly looking away, I focused back on Dean. "It's going to have to wait until this trip is over. No need in trying to do both- we don't need to slip up and endanger her family."

Dean's expression darkened, and for a second, I thought he was going to argue. His fingers tightened around the coffee cup in his hand, the steam curling in the cold air between us.

"You really think we have that kind of time?" His voice was low, edged with frustration.

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. "We don't have a choice. If we start chasing ghosts without a solid lead, we'll waste time we don't have." I glanced toward Eve again, my stomach twisting at how peaceful she looked. The calm before the storm. "And if we slip up, she loses everything."

Dean exhaled through his nose, clearly not liking it but knowing I had a point. "Yeah. Guess that's the story of our lives, huh?"

I felt the weight of Sam's presence before I even turned my head.

"What's going on?" His voice was careful, measured. He looked between us, then at the phone in Dean's hand.

Dean hesitated for half a second before tilting the phone back toward his mouth. "Bobby, we'll call you back."

Bobby let out an annoyed huff but didn't argue. "Fine. Just don't drag your damn feet. Time ain't on your side."

Dean ended the call, shoving the phone into his jacket pocket. Sam's gaze stayed locked onto him, his expression shifting from confusion to something more guarded.

I could practically feel the tension in the air as I crossed my arms. "Bobby called with the ingredients for the cure," I told Sam. "But it's complicated."

His brows furrowed, eyes flickering toward the Mustang. "Complicated how?"

Dean sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "We need the blood of the one who turned her."

Sam's expression barely changed, but I caught the flicker of something in his eyes. Calculation.

"She doesn't know who it was, does she?"

"Not for sure," I admitted. "But I think she has an idea."

Sam let out a slow breath, his gaze dropping to the ground. His silence was telling.

"We wait until after this trip," I repeated firmly. "We handle her family first. Keep things normal for as long as we can."

Sam looked over at me then, really looked at me. I expected him to argue, but instead, he nodded once. "Okay."

I blinked, surprised at the lack of resistance.

Dean, on the other hand, didn't look convinced. "Yeah, well, that's assuming we don't run into any more surprises."

He gestured toward the Mustang with his coffee before taking a long sip. "Hope you're ready, because I got a feeling this trip just got a whole lot messier."

I sighed, glancing at Eve once more before pushing off the car. "Yeah. What else is new?"

Stepping away from the Mustang, I moved back toward the driver's side. "Let's get going. We've got a few more hours to go."

The rest of the drive passed in a blur, the miles stretching out in front of us like a never-ending highway. Eve had woken up a few minutes ago, but stared out the window without speaking.

When we finally pulled off the highway, my stomach twisted with nerves. The Mustangs tires crunched against the gravel driveway as I slowed, pulling up beside a large white double wide. It was much fancier than I expected. The house gleamed under the afternoon sun, with a long ramp leading from the garage up to the small porch out front.

I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as Dean pulled the Impala in behind the Mustang. Tossing the Mustang in neutral, I pushed the parking brake and killed the motor. Deafening silence filled the cab as Dean killed the Impala behind us.

"We're here."