Black Eyes
I never thought the sun would create such a headache. I guess that's what happens when you've been down in Hell, in darkness, and haven't seen the light of day for...
Wow. I've been in Hell so long that I lost track of time.
How am I topside, you're asking? No, I didn't escape. I got a...pardon, I guess you can say, from the King of Hell himself. Shocking, I know. I was floored when he told me. Since I'd been chained in Hell for so long, I thought it was my mind losing itself even more. It played sick tricks on me before, but giving me the spark of hope for freedom? That would've been the cruelest trick of all.
"What year is it?" I ask. I use my hand as a visor to keep the sun out of my eyes.
"Only twenty-fourteen," says Crowley. "You've been cooped up a year if you're trying to work the math out."
I rub my forehead. "Hell time moves much faster."
"That it does."
A few humans walk past us; they must've been eavesdropping. I flash them my black demon eyes, and they scurry. Oh, yeah, that's the other thing: since I've spent so much time in Hell, being tortured and whatnot, I've become a demon. Not as powerful as Crowley or Abaddon, but stronger than your strongest human.
At some point, I broke. I don't remember how long ago it was. It was a fact of life that I stopped fighting after some time. There's only so much denial one person can take before they get sick of it.
"So, why'd you let me out?" I cast a side glance at Crowley. "It's not out of the kindness of your non-existent heart."
"Sharp as ever, Maxie. You're with me so I can show you."
I watch him curiously as he crosses the street. Feeling obligated, I follow behind him into the bar. I almost gag at the smell. Booze, rotten food, vomit--yup, this is a bar all right. This rivals the rotting flesh in Hell smell that I can't seem to get out of my nose.
"I'm your bodyguard?" I ask in disdain. "I think I prefer my cozy cell downstairs."
Crowley chuckles. "You really don't miss this? The ambiance?"
"Not particularly. Guess that's what happens when your soul gets mangled into bits and pieces."
"Oh, hush it. Instead of bitching, how about you enjoy your fresh air, eh?"
"What's this all about?" I repeat. "Am I your hitman or something?"
"Oh, you could be a lot of things to me, Maxie. Believe me. Fortunately, for you, you're just a babysitter. I need you to keep someone in line for me."
"Can't bother to do it yourself?" I snort.
Crowley frowns. "It doesn't seem like I'm the demon for the job. That's why I brought you out."
"Are you sure this isn't just a façade? I'm still in Hell, aren't I?"
Crowley sighs in annoyance. "Bloody hell, now I remember why I never visited you. You're such a nag."
I lick my lips in aggravation. "You're the one who let me out. And it's not smart to provoke me."
"Darling, you won't do anything. I'll be checking in." He puts a disposable cell phone into my hand. "You muck this up, it's back downstairs for you, love."
I roll my eyes. I'm not gonna take his threat too seriously. I'm not afraid of him like I used to be. Hell has made me tougher, way tougher.
When I look again, Crowley has disappeared. Pompous British ass. I ruffle my blonde hair that's not matted and caked in blood and guts. I'm sure I look more than appealing. Lethally attractive. I definitely feel like it right now.
Okay, well, Crowley gave me nothing to go by, so I guess I have to find this person. I search carefully, ignoring the wolf whistles thrown my way. I look towards the pool table, curious. My attention quickly goes to the bar. I plop myself on a stool, leaning against it, searching. All the noises are blending together, an annoying mush.
"Well, hello, sexy," a slurred voice purrs in my left ear.
I roll my tongue over my teeth. "Bye, douchebag."
"Ouch, shooting a man down already?"
"Not in the socializing mood, pal. Keep walking." I wrinkle my nose. "Buy some mouthwash on your way home."
"Scalding bitch, aren't you?"
I turn my head sharply, glaring. This man is drunk off his ass. I'm really hoping this isn't the guy I'm supposed to "babysit". "Annoying little bastard, aren't you?" Irritated, I jump off the stool, but I feel his fingers grab my wrist. "I'll give you one second to let go of me."
"Or you'll do what?"
With a rather loud yell, I turn, slamming the guy into the bar. He panics, shouting curse words at me. I have him by the throat.
"Hey, hey, take it outside!" the bartender shouts at me.
"I got it, I got it," says a new voice. I feel arms pull me off the drunk. "Okay, okay, sweetheart, you made your point. Time to go for a timeout."
"Get off me!" I roar, twisting around.
I stop all my struggles. I know this man. At one point in time, I fell in love with him. But he's different than I remember. His voice is an octave or two lower, and his voice had already been low to begin with. The most notable difference is that I can see his true face. His demon face.
I'm too stunned to say anything that he takes advantage and pulls me out of the bar, into the daylight. I wince at the change of light.
"Dean?" I whisper in disbelief. He shoves me into the wall, presses an arm against my neck. "Hey!"
"Get the hell out of her body right now," he growls. It's unnatural, to see his green eyes revert to the demonic black that mine can.
"Dean, i-it's me. It's Max." I scratch his arm to try and get it off me, but he's rock solid.
He shakes his head. "I saw her body. She ain't alive."
"God dammit." I kick him in the gut, and he stumbles away. I can't believe I got to beat the shit out of you to prove myself.
Dean and I attack each other, fists hitting flesh. The blows are just as hard as they would be if we were human. I know why I'm a demon, I can't figure out Dean's reasoning. I would've heard if he had gone to Hell. I would have. So why is he sporting black eyes too?
Our fight spins us into an alleyway. I get thrown to the ground, and as Dean launches himself onto me, I throw my feet up, catching him in the stomach, throwing him over me. I quickly twist and pounce on him, pinning his arms above his head and straddling him.
"This is how we met, do you remember?" I pant. "I tried to steal the Impala. I met a freaking Knight of Hell and your grandfather. I used a fake name, Natasha. I told you about Emmett and Sophie. I...I was there when you discovered my body." In my old house. That still bothers me, how Crowley killed me in my former home. "There was a bad storm that night. You remember, I know you do. Stop acting like I'm possessed again. This is me, Maxine Barton."
Dean is still tense under me, and his eyes have reverted back to their green. Mine go back to their blue. I'm prepared for a second round with him, because he looks tempted to throw me off and fight me. He's always had that fighting spirit. He'd rather fight than talk.
"What happened to you?" I ask softly. "I know why I am how I am, but you?" I notice a peculiar red marking on his right forearm. I cock my head curiously. He didn't have that before. What the hell happened after I died?
Is Dean the person Crowley wants me to watch over? Why? Because he's a demon? What does Crowley want with Dean? And where's Sam? Cas? What did I miss in a year?
"If you're lying to me..." he snarls.
"I'm not. I know I did before, but I'm not this time, I swear." My arms start to shake from fatigue. "It's me, Dean. It's Max." I get off him, moving a few steps backwards. I watch him cautiously as he gets to his feet, eyes full of judgment and doubt. I'm waiting for him to pull out a weapon that can kill me as he approaches.
He grabs my arms rather gently, running his calloused fingers down them, some running over the blue veins.
"I know, I'm patched up like nothing happened," I say thickly. "Perk of being topside."
"How did you...?"
"Served my time."
"Did you escape?"
I shake my head. "I wish."
"You were let out?"
I nod. "Hard to believe, right?"
"Very."
My fingers find that red mark on his forearm. "Story?"
"Later." He tilts my face up. "I didn't think it'd happen."
"Me coming back?"
"It's why I buried you."
"That explains why I had to crawl out of the freaking ground." I remember that. I definitely scared some people driving on the road. I almost caused at least two accidents. Although, I will say I looked far worse in Hell. Instead of dirt, I had been sprayed with blood and guts.
"I'd thought about giving you a Hunter's funeral, burning your body. But I didn't..."
I know demons aren't known for their soft side, but right now, Dean is showing some rather human signs for being a demon. I'm sure he's reeling back into the days after I died. The pain, the agony of it all.
"Guess it's a good thing you didn't, huh?" I say weakly. "You've got me back." I rub the stubble on his face. He's got even sexier, my God. I didn't think it was possible.
"You're not suspicious at all why you're back?"
Oh, I know why I'm back. Crowley wants me to watch you. Don't know why. Don't know what for. But oh well. "Sometimes there are things you just don't question." I clear my throat. "Where's your brother? And...and Cas?"
At this, his face darkens, and I know I've asked the wrong questions. Something bad happened, something that I could have witnessed, maybe resolved, if I hadn't gone to Hell. "Doesn't matter."
"Guess not since you're flying solo now."
"God, it's great to hear your voice again, Max."
"Same here." I step closer to him, I can see my reflection in his eyes. He doesn't smell like gunpowder and blood. More like booze and...sex. I feel a pang of jealousy. "What skank did you take home with you?"
"What?"
"You stink like sex."
"You can't smell that."
"No, but I can smell a scent that's not yours." I wrinkle my nose. Figures. Big bad demon needs to strut his stuff. He's got no one to hold him back and tie him down.
"Is that jealousy I hear, Barton?" He raises a taunting eyebrow.
"You're damn right it is, Winchester." I push him roughly into the brick wall. "And you know what? When I'm done with you, you won't be able to get my scent off no matter how much you scrub."
"That might not be such a bad thing."
That smirk sends chills through me. I brush our noses together, and his eyes are half closed. I pull away slightly, chuckling. "If I didn't have a shred of decency left in me, I'd fuck you right here and now."
His eyes twinkle in lust. "Funny you should mention that. I've got a room just a few blocks away."
"Think you can wait that long?" I push myself against him, and he groans in want.
"Guess we'll find out."
**SURPRISE, YOU GUYS!
Let's be real: I honestly thought about what would happen to Max after her Hell tour. If she would come out a demon. Down the road it would've been a hell of a possibility. But for the book's sake, I stopped.
So, this is in no way relevant to Reckless, sort of a "what if" kind of situation. A little final one-shot of Dax to feed my longing for the ship, and yours, as I'm sure you missed Dax so much.
What happens in this one-shot does not add onto Reckless, it's just a little bonus treat for us all.
Besides, Demon!Dax needed to debut. Kind of fitting, how they reunited. I can imagine they'd raise Hell on earth, just because of what they are. Now, whether or not Max would get cured around the same time as Dean, I'd bet on no.**