Demons, Demigods and Hunters (Percy Jackson/Supernatural)

Chapter 47

Anna

Dean sat in a chair next to the bed where Sam's body lay. Anna stood next to him, taking her turn to keep an eye on the unstable hunter. Bobby had gone out for something to eat.

Anna wasn't hungry. She ate mechanically, fueling her body as she patrolled the area constantly, taking out her grief and anger and pain (gods, the pain) on every monster she came across. She locked down the howling, turbulent emotions before returning to the quiet house though. She needed clarity to face Dean and Bobby; to face the task at hand. The end of her quest. She sighed, tightening her grip on Dean's should slightly before she let go, moving to sit on the sagging couch in the next room.

Wasn't this kind of pain supposed to end with the war? This ripping, tearing, horrible emptiness that accompanied loss was supposed to be gone until she was old and wrinkled. This was the horrible feeling that came when you lose a friend in the field of battle. This wasn't the same as when someone failed to come home from a quest. She was on the quest, and this time Sa... her friend, died in front of her. Less than five feet away. If she'd only cocked her gun, instead of throwing the damn knife. If only he hadn't been a mortal. If only she'd shot the man instead of screaming. If only, if only, if only.

It had been two days. Dean had hardly moved, and Anna couldn't seem to compartmentalize. At least not the way she used too, back in the titan fighting, giant killing, primordial destroying days. But grief is a circle, and you never lean in the person on the inside ring. Dean was the closest to the center as it gets, and Bobby was inside her ring too. She could be strong for all of them. If she was strong enough, she could kill the cowardly bastard who did this. Except she doesn't kill demigods. Not when she doesn't need to. Not anymore. And they weren't supposed to harm mortals either; they're beneath the god's notice, beneath her blade. Chiron had always said as much. So why does she want to kill that soldier so badly?

Anna forced Dean to eat. Forced herself to eat. Forced Bobby to eat, even though he seemed to be the most together of the trio. But his ring was inside hers, so even if she wanted to she can't lean on him. Anna can be strong enough for the three of them. Dean was steadily drinking, offering Anna every so often. She refused. War is no place for a drunk. She would salute Sam when it was all over.

'If you even survive. Which you won't.' Came the traitorous thought. She snarked back to herself.

'I'm leaving Abba's good whiskey with Bobby. He knows to break it out for the deaths. He'll drink it for me.' The door opened before Anna could argue with herself anymore. She didn't need to look back to know it was Bobby. Dean just didn't move.

"Dean? Anna? Brought you guys some food."

"No, thanks. We're fine." Dean spoke for both of them. Anna was a little irritated that Dean spoke for her. But she let it go considering that he was right, and that it did no harm for him to be a little bit in control at the moment.

"You should eat something." Bobby said gruffly. Anna knew he was right. Maybe she would eat something, then she could go patrol again. Maybe kill a monster or a demon that was getting to close. Drawn by her demigod aura. She would hunt and kill and defend the way she did best. Her mind and her blade against something that seems bigger and stronger. But Anna is smarter, cleverer; she's better trained, better bred. Demigods are born from sterner stuff than the average mortal. She was honestly surprised that neither of the boys had noticed that she was just a little bit stronger, a little bit faster than she should be. Just that little bit more durable, healing from more serious injuries a little bit quicker, a little bit easier than any normal human had right too. Anna wondered if they noticed, but didn't care; the way Dean looked the other way about his brother's visions.

"I said we're fine." She heard the whiskey splash in the bottle. Anna turned to go to Bobby, but Dean reached up to grip her arm. She glanced down at the heartbroken Dean. He didn't even look away from the body, but she knew he was asking her to stay. So she did. Bobby shifted nervously.

"Dean...I hate to bring this up, I really do. But don't you think maybe it's time... We bury Sam?" Anna tensed, knowing what Dean's answer would be. And it wouldn't be to say that they were going to burn him.

"No." Dean said with finality. Bobby sighed.

"We could... Maybe..." Dean was deadly calm.

"What? Torch his corpse? Not yet." His voice was cool, detached. Just the way Anna was trying to feel inside. She knew she was right when she told Sa... her friend, two years ago to let oneself grieve. But war was different. And Anna knew something was coming, something worse. And only after the something worse came, could she seal the veil. Bobby sighed before continuing.

"I want you guys to come with me."

"We're not going anywhere." Bobby seemed to realize that Anna wasn't going to say anything around Dean. She looked at her godfather, who gave her a slight nod. Dean needed control, and support and some stability. Anna could do that for him, was fast enough, strong enough, smart enough to protect Dean until they could kill the thing responsible for Sam's death. Meaning if Bobby wanted Anna to go with him, he'd have to convince Dean.

"Dean, please." Dean grew tense. Bad sign. Especially with the cheap, but strong, whiskey he'd been drinking.

"Would you cut me some slack?" Dean snapped.

"I just... I don't think you guys should be alone, that's all. I gotta admit, I could use your help." Dean snorted.

"Something big is going on. End of the world big." Anna frowned at Bobby. He wasn't supposed to know, and even if he did, that information should go to her, or other demigods. Not a mortal who shouldn't be forced into being the Fates' pawns alongside the heroes who never got a choice. Especially when he was grieving. Dean stood up, gripping her hand.

"Well then let it end!" he bellowed. Anna didn't say anything, it wasn't time yet. She understood his pain, she really did. But that didn't mean Anna would stand aside and let that world stop spinning. And honestly, neither would Dean. But right now that part of him was just buried under the booze and the pain. Bobby, however, was shocked.

"You don't mean that." Dean let go of her arm in order to get in Bobby's face.

"You don't think so? Huh? You don't think I've given enough? You don't think I've paid enough? I'm done with it. All of it. And if you know what's good for you, you'd turn around, and get the hell out of here." Anna had heard enough.

"That's enough." She said quietly, her arm shooting forward to restrain Dean from attacking Bobby again. Dean looked at her, breathing hard. She continues, her voice dry and cracked from lack of use over the past couple days.

"Dean, you're hurting. I get it, I really really do. But so is Bobby, and so am I. So that's enough." It was all she could say in a steady voice. So she stopped. Dean turned to Bobby.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please, just go." Bobby turned around and sighed.

"You know where I'll be, kids." He looked directly at Anna.

"Et veniunt in domum Anai. Et tu venis auxilio fatuus est in domum suam. Ne moriar aliquid facere stultus auditis?" The older man said to her in Latin. Anna gave him a wane smile and shook her head. Bobby should know better, demigods always died doing something stupid while helping people. The Mars legacy may have been out of the legion for years, but he still had some kick left in him. Bobby left.

Dean returned to his seat. Anna moved to go patrol the perimeter again, but stopped when Dean placed his hand on her hip. He slowly dragged her into his lap, her legs resting across his. She sighed then adjusted herself to be more comfortable, not saying a word. She carefully removed Eleos from her back, and both guns from her hips, placing them on the floor but still within arms reach. Anna leaned back and wrapped her arms around Dean, even as he resumed watching his brother's corpse. She could patrol later. Dean needed her now.

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Translation:

*You come home Anai. You help dumbass there and then you come home. Don't die doing something stupid you hear?

(Latin)