August 2014
It took a little over a week for the Enochian symbols to heal again, turning back into the pencil thin scars you were more accustomed to.
Cass had advised Sam and Dean to both take a break from hunting while they had the chance. According to the trench coat wearing angel, Heaven and Hell were currently peaceful, thanks to Abaddon's death and Metatron being locked away after his fight with Dean. It allowed both brothers some time for much needed rest. And you were happy because it meant you got to spend quality time with them.
You hadn't bothered with researching your abduction since Dean's disappearance in mid June. Focusing instead on helping Sam find the older Winchester, as best as you could from the confines of the bunker. Now that Dean had returned and was no longer feeling the effects from the Mark of Cain, for now, the three of you mostly hung out as you recovered together.
Some days, you watched horrible movies in Sam's room, fighting over what you each considered to be a good movie snack. You all agreed that popcorn was a must, but Dean insisted on having liquorice, much to Sam's distaste. And while you yourself had a sweet tooth and loved lollies, they teased you on that term, you argued with Dean that Redvines couldn't be classed as liquorice. Even the raspberry flavoured kind. And you insisted that the version Darrell Lee made back home in Australia, was far superior.
You also happily watched them clean their weapons and restock their arsenal, finding it fascinating to a degree, that they had so many different kinds of bullets. Ones with devils traps engraved on them, the rounds filled with rock salt for ghosts you had seen Sam make once, silver ones used on werewolves, even ones for witches, but you were surprised there was nothing for angels. You didn't let Dean in on these thoughts however, less he bring up your impending gun training.
One day midweek, you also sat in the garage with Dean as he tinkered with baby. And he took the opportunity to show you a thing or two about what was under the hood. You had to feign your interest for his benefit and he probably knew what you were doing in all honesty, but it was nice to be close to him, while you were fully clothed.
You found it difficult to hold back on flirting with him. Ever since he had first called you sweetheart, and more recently after you had felt his arousal against your leg while he was a demon. It had brought up feelings you didn't want to face or admit. And when he had attended to and dressed the wounds on your back, being unclothed from the waist up and under his touch, you had felt something deep in your gut.
It was just lust you had decided, and you mentally brushed it off. Putting it down to not having slept with anyone in the time you had lived in the States. Back in Australia at the time of your abduction, you hadn't been seeing anybody, but that didn't mean you didn't have the occasional fun when a guy you found interesting chased after your attention. Not that you had slept around, either, you had always been safe, smart about things. If you met a guy on a night out, he had to take you out on a date first before you agreed to take him home with you.
Thinking these type of things about and around Dean was very dangerous territory, and it didn't help when he seemed to flirt with you. But you reminded yourself that that was who he was. It was part of his personality and you knew you had to squash any feelings for him. He was your closest friend in this new life, and you couldn't risk loosing him by becoming awkward around him.
It was the second Saturday after Dean's hammer rampage, that he had insisted on checking your wounds again. And you were relieved that he only wished to check the ones on your arms and not the ones he had previously taken care of on your back. You had already removed the bandages a few days before and you knew yourself you were fully healed. But you humoured him anyways and you were happy to hear that he felt you were ready to start your self defence lessons.
"I'll let Sam know you're good to go." He informed you as he rolled the sleeve back down on your behalf. You were both in the infirmary again, and you were sitting up on the examination table, Dean standing directly in front of you.
"So I passed Doc?" You joked.
"Yeah... You're in good health." Dean added sarcastically back at you. "Just remember, he's only teaching you the basics..." He considered you for a moment and you glanced at him in confusion. Looking at his watch, he spoke again, "Let's go to the garage."
The garage? You really weren't interested in another car lesson and you protested. "You want to show me more car stuff?" You asked as you jumped down from the table onto the concrete floor.
Dean had quickly grabbed both your arms to support you as you had moved. "Nope, I'm going to fit you with a gun..."
You sighed, running your hand down your face from your temple, finally resting it just below your bottom lip, spreading across your chin and jaw line. "I thought I was starting with the basics. You know, fists and punches?"
"You are... I never said you were going to shoot today. Just get a feel for it. We have to find you one that's the right size. I might not even have one that will fit your hands." Dean grabbed your right hand with that. "You're right handed, yeah?"
"Yeah..." You quietly agreed.
Sam was currently doing a supply run. He had left before you'd even had the chance to talk to him that morning. And you were slightly disappointed that he hadn't asked you to join him. You would have jumped at the chance to step out of the bunker for a while. But it had also meant you were left alone with Dean and you didn't mind that, until now.
"Come on." And still holding your right hand, Dean dragged you out of the infirmary and towards the stairs that lead up into the garage.
The bunker had a really weird layout, and even though you had lived here for months now. You still sometimes got confused with the halls that all looked the same. The placement of the garage had always baffled you too, as it was on a level in between the main floor that the three of you resided on and the landing that lead to outside.
As soon as you arrived at the back end of Baby, Dean opened the boot and its secret compartment, revealing all the weapons and gadgets he kept there. Some of them, you didn't even recognise what they were, or their purpose, and you thought it better to not ask in case Dean also gave you a lesson on all the different toys he owned.
Dean looked over to you, his eyes sparkling in delight. While you rolled yours and folded your arms under you chest. "Do you have enough guns?"
"Nope" Dean grinned back at you.
In the secret compartment, one of the weapons sitting before you was about to become your very first. But before you agreed to hold one, you wanted to get the smug look off of his face. So you went for a Harry Potter reference, knowing he hated when you and Sam ever mentioned the teenage wizard. "Okay Ollivander. Is it the wand that chooses the wizard, or the wizard who chooses the wand?"
Dean stared at you for a minute. "The wand chooses the wizard sweetheart, but the wand's size doesn't matter, it's how the wizard uses it." A bigger grin spread across his face.
Your sigh was loud. "I walked right into that."
Dean turned back to the boot of the car and reached over to a smaller looking firearm. He turned back to you and placed it in your right hand, helping you adjust your fingers around the grip, and explained how you should squeeze the trigger when you go to fire it.
Dean was happy he had found you the perfect fit, and he made you carry it around with you, in the same manner he did between his back and waistband, for the rest of the damn day. "To get the feel for it." He had said again.
You now currently sat at the mess room table, next to Sam and facing Dean as he made the three of you his infamous burgers for dinner in the small kitchenette. Each of you, a beer either held or sitting in front of you, enjoying each others company.
"Show me your fist." Sam had asked politely, unlike you knew his brother wouldn't have. And you obliged, taking the time to remind yourself that the thumb went on the outside, so as not to break the bone. And Sam complimented you on that. "Good. At least you didn't tuck your thumb under like most girls do."
And you revealed sheepishly that you had had to concentrate on that. "I've read a few comics, I know they always draw the thumb on the outside..." You whispered, causing both men to laugh at you.
"What comics have you been reading?" Dean asked out of curiosity.
"Manga mostly... Although I had a friend in university that loved to read DC and Marvel stuff, so I've seen a few covers... Plus, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine... If you guys told me the X- men were real too, I'd be out of here in a flash." Your torso shook slightly as you chuckled to yourself, and your mind flashed with images of the Adamantium clawed anti-hero.
Sam smirked at you and Dean rolled his eyes. "Wolverine? He's a dick... He'd rip you to shreds."
"He's not a real person Dean..." You heard Sam somewhat defend your choices next to you. "Besides, he'd beat Batman in a fight..." Good old reliable Sam, he always backed you up when it meant he could give his older brother shit in return.
"How?" Dean asked insulted.
You couldn't believe you were about to have another argument, on superheroes no less, but you totally got involved anyways. "Batman is nothing without his gadgets. Wolverine can regenerate!"
"You're only defending him because you just objectified Hugh Jackman." Dean pointed the tongs he was holding in his hand accusingly at you. He looked ridiculous in his apron too, and it was really hard to take his banter seriously.
"Objectified? Please... You're always bringing up random actresses you'll never meet... Who was it the other day, Mila Kunis?... How is it different when I do it?" You weren't going to let the double standard get past you unnoticed.
Sam muttered under his breath. "And people always say Dean and I act like a married couple..."
"What?" Being right next to Sam, you had heard him perfectly well. Dean hadn't seemed to though and he also called out a "What?" from the kitchen island, shortly after you had spoken yours.
"Never mind..." Sam shook his head. "Just thinking out loud... Have you ever punched anyone before?"
You hadn't, but right now you felt like you wanted to punch a certain man in the room. "Nope... Never... Although I whacked my brother over the head once." And you laughed at the memory from your childhood.
"Haven't we all." Sam seeming to recall his own memories, most probably, more recent to yours.
You grinned at Sam's comment as Dean glared at you, walking over with two plated burgers, one for each of you. He then moved back to collect his own and sat down opposite you at the table.
The three of you continued your discussion, if you could call it that, savouring your time of rest. Sam and you collaborating on washing the dishes once you had all finished, while Dean sat back, continuing the conversations between you all.
The topic had turned to watching a movie that evening. But Sam had warned you he wanted you up early to begin your self defence training. Informing you, you were to meet him in the war room at six, to go with him on his morning run.
"Fun..." You had replied sarcastically. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then... Night guys." And rather than staying up to watch a movie with the boys, you opted for a shower and bed.
The next morning, the alarm you had set on your phone went off at half past five, and you had to force yourself out of bed, as soon as it had. You didn't want to risk falling back asleep, resulting in being late for your first day of Sam's boot camp, the term coming to you during the night. Thank fuck it wasn't winter yet.
You dressed and caffeinated yourself, saving the shower for after Sam was finished with you, and made it to the war room right on six o'clock. Beating Sam there by about thirty seconds.
Sam greeted you with a "Morning Glowworm!" And the look you gave him was exactly the same as you had given Dean, when he'd tried using the nickname Crowley had first given you. He found it funny and added, "I think it suits you, get used to it, it's cute."
The two of you set off on Sam's usual route, keeping a slow pace for your behalf. You would come to match his regular speed in the coming months.
When you returned to the bunker, it was just after seven and the two of you parted to clean up. Meeting in the mess room again some thirty minutes later for breakfast and more coffee. Dean now awake himself, although not really looking it, sat at the table, hair askew, grasping his own cup.
"How was the run?" He grumbled as a form of greeting, which made both you and Sam exchange a knowing look.
"Wonderful..." You replied sarcastically. "You should try it."
Both you and Sam sat down simultaneously opposite the older, currently grumpy, Winchester as you had done the night before during your comic discussion. Sam scoffing at you. "It wasn't that bad."
"Dude, the only reason anyone should be leaving their house that early, is to get paid for it... Or do their job, in your cases." You added on at the end, remembering that Sam and Dean didn't get any form of payment to do theirs.
Dean sighed. "She's gotta point Sammy." He then turned to you. "Hope you had your gun with you..."
"Huh?... Why would I?" You asked him slightly confused.
"Cause you need to get used to it... In fact, you should have it on you always, even in the bunker if we're hanging out like now. You never want to be caught without it." Dean was now lecturing you, matter of factly.
You looked at Sam, questioning him with your eyes but he just shrugged at you. "I, I don't even know how to use it yet?"
"Well, after lunch, you're going to learn. Sam's got you booked for the mornings for hand to hand stuff, and then you're mine in the afternoons." That was Dean's way of telling you he and Sam had made up a training schedule. And for the next couple of months, you would follow it, whenever you were home.
Daily from six to seven, you would go for your morning run with Sam, strengthening your stamina with cardio. Followed by breakfast. Then, between eight and eleven, you would move into the bunkers gym, where Sam showed you some moves, both defensive and offensive. And some days, he would switch things up, choosing to have you work on your fitness and strength with weights and the rest of the gym equipment.
From eleven to one, you were free to do as you pleased, usually occupying that time with a shower, lunch and relaxation. And from one o'clock onwards you were with Dean.
He started off with teaching you to clean and maintain the upkeep of the gun he'd given you. Practicing loading, reloading, pulling the thing apart and putting it back together again. Learning about the various bullets that would fit it and where they were kept in Baby's boot. He even had you inscribing the tiny devils traps on the top of the demon bullets eventually.
For now, Dean only focused on your small hand gun, insisting in the future he would show you the shot guns and rifles too, much to your dismay. And when he and you were both confident that you were ready to handle it, he took you to the bunkers shooting range. And you shot at a target for the very first time.