Chapter 8

Brooklyn

Screams wake me up, causing me to sit up only to realize the screams are coming from Dean next to me, seeming to toss and turn, trapped in a nightmare. I shake him, hoping to wake him up as I yell for him, "Dean! Dean! Wake up! It's just a dream! Dean!"

I glance down at his arm, watching the Mark on his arm burn red as veins start to form around it.

Dean is continuing to thrash around, yelling, "No! No! No! No! Stop! Don't!"

"Dean!" I yell, fearful of what he is dreaming off. My eyes look around, finding the glass of water that I had brought to bed with me. I grab it, throwing it on Dean who wakes up violently and sits up. He looks around in a panic before meeting my worried eyes.

He lets out a sigh of relief, sweat dripped from his forehead a he closes his eyes and leans his head on my shoulder. I wrap my arms around him, holding him as he calm's his breathing.

My head turns, finding Sam standing in the doorway and looking worriedly. He turned, walking away and looking to be towards the library.

"It's okay, it's okay," I whisper to Dean, laying him back down. His eyes are half open still as he stares up at the ceiling. I skooch back, leaning my back against the wall as I play with Dean's not wet hair. My eyes stare at Dean, watching every breath he takes, every movement, everything.

I stayed like that for a few more hours, Dean seeming to only drift in and out of sleep, never falling asleep fully. Eventually, I slowly skootched off the bed and left the bedroom, heading to my room and grabbing a change of clothes. I took a quick shower in hopes of it waking me up but to no avail.

Drying my hair and just changing into some sweats and a purple, short sleeve shirt, I head back to Dean's room only to find it empty.

"Dean?" I said, leaving the bedroom and heading into the kitchen. Dean is standing at the coffee maker, two cups in front of him. I try not to let out my sigh of relief to loud so he wouldn't tell how worried I was.

"Here," he said, holding out a cup of coffee towards me.

"Thanks," I said, taking it and taking a sip.

"Sorry about last night."

"It's okay," I said, watching Dean for a second before he walked out of the kitchen with me to follow.

We headed into the library, finding Sam sitting at his laptop on his phone. Once he saw Dean and me, he hung up the phone and turned to us.

"Hey. How did you guys sleep?"

"Like a drunk baby," Dean said, taking a seat.

"I don't think I did go back to bed," I said with a yawn before grabbing the seat next to Dean. "What do we got?"

"Uh, nothing."

Dean rose an eyebrow, "Really?"

Sam shrugged, "Yeah, I mean, uh, no weird deaths, no demon signs. There's a Kitsune working some truck stops outside of Boise, but Rudy's on it, so..."

Sitting back and taking a sip of his coffee, Dean said, "All right. So, uh, snow day. I say we get drunk and shoot crap."

Smiling slightly, Sam looked at his brother, "Yeah, except we do that every day. Actually, I was thinking about seeing a movie."

"Yeah, that could be cool."

"It's a French movie. It's about a mime that's secretly a cockroach."

"I don't get it."

I made a face, scrunching up my nose, "Yeah, doesn't sound like my kind of movie, but you guys have fun."

Sam sighed, "All right, well it's playing in Wichita, so I might not be back till morning."

"Well, I trust you. Make good choices," Dean said.

Nodding and standing up, Sam responded, "Right. You know, I mean . . . I don't have to go alone."

"It's fine. Have fun."

I can feel Sam's eyes glance over to me, but mine are on my coffee, feeling distant.

"All right. Stay out of my room."

"Totally," Dean smiles before Sam leaves without another word.

There is an awkward silence in the Bunker, causing Dean to shift uncomfortable. A sigh leaves my lips and I sit down my coffee before standing up and grabbing my jacket that is draped over a chair.

"Where are you going?" Dean asked, watching my actions.

A sigh leaves my lips, "I'm going out, alone." Dean looks at me worriedly, seeming to match my look that I had last night. "I think both of us need some time to get our heads on straight."

Grabbing my purse, I climb the stairs and leave the Bunker without another word as well. Part of me is already regretting my silence and actions, but I just need to get away from everything. Even Dean.

I walk down the road, recalling the time when Dean and I got back from Hell and found ourselves in this exact situation. Walking down a dirt road in looks of a car. Luckily, there was a car rental shop just down the road, leaving me to not have to steal one.

Renting a car, I begin to drive around, not having any place in mind to going too. I find myself in a few towns over, a town we rarely visit but have come across a couple of times.

Far enough from the Bunker, but not far enough for it to become a problem if I'm needed back.

I stop at a gas station to fill up gas and grab a couple of things inside, some snacks and a pack of beer. I head to the checkout, pulling out some money from my pocket as the checkout guy asks, "Anything else I can get you?"

"$20 on pump 3," I said, looking up at the man to find his lips parted in shock.

"Brooklyn?" The man asked in shock.

Confused and guarded, I take a small step back and study the man, "How do you know my name?"

The man seems to search for the words before saying, "It's me, it's Ethan."

Ethan? As in my brother Ethan? It can't be. This man looks nothing like my brother and besides, my brother is gone, hopefully in Heaven.

Leaving my stuff, I quickly fast walk out of the gas station, heading to my car only to have this man race after me. "Brooke, wait!"

"I don't know who you are, or what game you're playing, but I am not in the mood," I said, anger and annoyance in my voice.

Stopping in front of my car, the man starts to speak quickly. You used to hang onto the metal under the bed to fall asleep." I stop in my tracks, next to my door, my lips parting as I looked at the ground. He continued, calmer this time, "You liked the feeling of the cold on your hands, it was soothing."

That one fact, that one memory was something only my mom, dad, and brother knew about. It was a stupid fact, but one that would prove this man was my brother.

Turning to face the man, I couldn't help the tears that threatened my eyes as I studied him. "Ethan?"

He smiled in relief, nodding, "Yeah."

I don't want to believe it. I can't believe it. Every part of me is yelling to run, to leave and forget about this interaction. But I can't. I have to know. So, fifteen minutes later I find myself sitting at a park bench with Ethan sitting by me. I still feel tense, not recon zing the man next to me who looks nothing like my brother.

"How are you here?" I asked, not hiding my tension.

Ethan sighed, looking off as he spoke, "When my soul was released from that container, I searched and searched for a body. I found this one. Nice guy, not much of a family life. He was dying and I hitched a ride, I guess."

Makes sense, and he knew about his soul being in a container. Maybe this really is him.

I finally look at Ethan, my voice cracking slightly. "I thought you went to Hell, or on a hopefully note, Heaven. Yet, here you are, just a few towns over."

Turning his body to face me, Ethan spoke, "You know, I looked for you, when I came back. I tried to find you, but I couldn't. I thought something happened to you too."

I scuffed slightly, relaxing a bit more, "Well, a lot happened to me, but I'm still here."

"And beautiful. You look like mom."

I couldn't help but smile at the comment, "I look like shit right now. I didn't get much sleep last night and... a lot of stress is on my shoulders."

"How's your life?"

"I'm a Hunter, still. What about you?"

Ethan's eyes went dark a bit, like I had touched a nerve. "No, never again. I don't want anything to do with that life." He sighed, "But, if that's what you enjoy, then I'm happy for you." He looked around a little bit before asking, "Are you all alone?"

Well, now comes the hard part. What to tell him and what not to tell him, especially after that comment. Bullet points, Brooklyn.

"I met someone, well, more like we met each other. Apparently there's this "Meant to Be" force that pulled him and I together. He's a great man, and makes me really happy."

Even if he is an asshole at times.

Ethan studied my shifting body, "But, I'm guessing he's part of the stress?"

"Yeah, you could say that," I mumble before moving onward. "He's got a brother, who reminds me of you a little bit. And there's an angel who helps us out."

"An angel?"

I chuckled slightly, "That one's kind of a long story too."

"Well, I'm happy you're happy, you deserve it."

A sigh left my lips as I looked off at the park before us, talking a bit serious. "I deserve a lot things, some good, some not so good. I left Dean without a word, mostly because I didn't know where I was going either. I just wanted to drive, maybe shoot a few things up, something that wasn't what I was doing."

"I'm guessing what's going on, is Hunting related and that's why you're not saying anything?" I said nothing, proving his words were right. "Well, whatever is going on, you'll figure it out because-"

"Because we're meant to be?" I said, scuffing slightly as the words seem to be said more than anything else.

Ethan didn't miss a beat, "Yes. Soulmates don't come that often in life, and when they do, they can be overwhelming at times. From what I remember, you're connected, mind, body, and soul. It's exhausting, just as much as it is exhilarating. If you love this Dean, and he loves you back, then don't fight about that. Fight for that."

"Where did you learn about all of this?" I chuckled.

"Some of us actually studied up on things instead of running gun first into a battle."

We both burst into a laugh, both of us nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, some things don't change," I said.

Ethan reached over, touching my arm, "Listen, even though I want nothing to do with the Hunting life, I'd still like to be a part of yours. But, if you need some time, I'll understand that."

I let Ethan's words process before I spoke up. "I'm so happy to know you're alive. I can't tell you how many times I've beaten myself up for releasing your soul into, who knows were. But, right now, I need some time. I need to sort things out and get through this hill."

"Okay," He nodded before pulling out a piece of paper and jotting some things down. "Here's my number and address. It's just me and the dog. When you're ready, give me a call."

I take the paper, fold it up, and shove it into my pocket before hugging Ethan.

"I'm so happy you're alive," I whispered to him.

"I'm happy you are too," he whispered back.

Pulling away, I kissed his cheek before standing up. I started to walk away before Ethan's stopped me. "And Brooklyn, promise me something?" I nodded. "Promise me you won't let go of someone you love, even if it means the world ends."

Pausing as I soaked in Ethan's words, I gave him a smile before climbing into the car. I headed to a bar and grabbed something to eat while drinking a beer. My mind seemed to drift off, thinking of anything and everything at the same time.

Who knows how long I sat at the bar, but by the time I had left there it was already night time. A sigh left my lips, my initial plan of staying at a Motel seemed to be lost and I decided just to head back to the Bunker.

I dropped off the car before heading back, enjoying the night air as I walked.

When I opened the Bunker door, I was surprised to see the lights still on and Dean sitting at the Library table. He had clearly washed up, changed, and was sitting finishing up a piece of pie.

I swear, we may have no food, but we always have pie and beer.

Dean looked up as I walked down the stairs in silence. "You okay?" Dean asked?

"Fine," I answered, walking off.

Turning his chair, Dean spoke up, clearly annoyed, "So, we're really not talking about this?"

A sigh left my lips as I stopped, shrugging, "You're the one in a bitchy mood, Dean. I'm just following the leader."

Dean stood, "Brooke, if this is about the proposal thing-"

"I wish it was, I really wish it was just about that, but it's about everything. It's about the Mark, it's about how you've been acting... and it's the proposal." Dean is silent, letting me rant on. "I would have said yes, I told you that, but I just didn't want it to be forced. I didn't want you to proposal and ten minutes later go off the rails and take it all back. Asking someone to marry you isn't like renting a DVD, you can't just take it back. I want forever, Dean. However long that is."

My body turned to walk away again but Dean's angry voice stopped me. "You know, today was hell for me. Not because of the Mark, or the fact I had a heart to heart session with Crowley about his mother." I rose an eyebrow at him. "Long story. No, what was Hell was that you weren't there with me. That we were in the middle of this fight and no one was saying anything. This Mark is Hell, but when you and I don't talk, when you leave and I have no idea where you are or what's going on; that's more Hell then this Mark could ever give me."

Dean walked towards me slowly, speaking calmer. "Now, I know I mess up, more times then I care to count. And I know that this whole thing is such a shit coaster that neither one of us seem to be able to get off. I'll admit, when I proposed, looking back, it was a crap decision. The way I did it and the feeling it gave you was the exact opposite of what I wanted. But at the same time, I don't want to wait till this shit coaster stops. I don't want to wait till this Mark comes off my arm because that may never happen. I'm tired of waiting for the right time, because in our life, there is no right time."

I'm taken back as Dean stops in front of me and gets down on one knee, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the same ring box as before. "So you can be mad at me, you can say no, but I want you. I want you for the rest of my life. I want to know that your mine and that this shit coaster... We're on it together, because right now I need that."

There is a silence in the room, one that isn't uncomfortable, but one that is breathe holding. I stare at the ring in Dean's hand before looking at Dean. This is the Dean I want. The Dean that shows his fears and feelings. The Dean that admits this is a shit coaster and that he's messed up, just like I have.

I want to say yes.

Bending down in front of Dean as tears begin to fall from my eyes, I take Dean's head in my hands. "I am yours. And I'm not getting off this shit coaster unless we're getting off together. And I'm not going to say no."

Dean smiles and a relieved breath leaves his lips before he takes my hand and puts the ring on it. He grabs me as I kiss him, kissing me back with just as much, if not more, passion. He wraps his arms under me and lifts me up before we head to the bedroom.

I had listened to my brother's words, and I wasn't letting the person I love go.

Short chapter but a lot happened. Brooklyn's brother is alive and Dean and Brooke are engaged! What are you most excited to see more of?