#noble!ofc

“How goes your honeymoon?”  Sam asked as he, Julie, and Cole visited Dean and Lisa.  

“Peachy, but I’m not sure how much longer we can hide out in this room,”  Dean answered honestly.  Lisa’s pregnancy was starting to show for those that knew to look, and Julie went to fawn over her.

“You have to stay in here, man,”  Sam impressed on Dean.  “You have to give us more time to figure out how to trap Michael and Crowley.

“Have you got anything figured out yet, hotshot?”  Dean growled at Sam.  “Don’t get me wrong, I could see myself retiring with Lisa, this downtime has been pretty amazing, but I want to go outside eventually,”  Dean said in a hushed voice.  “And once the news of the baby gets out we won’t be able to hide.”  Julie and Cole tensed a little a Dean’s comment but it appeared to go unnoticed.

“It’s not like you can’t go outside,”  Sam said unsympathetically.

“That’s easy for you to say.  How often are you-”  Dean cut off abruptly when Lisa and Julie came over to them.

“I’m hoping it shouldn’t be much longer, I have a plan on how to get the king off our back,”  Julie said firmly.

“Care to share?”  Dean asked, offering his hands out hopefully.

“Not yet,”  Julie said and Dean rolled his eyes.  Dean’s eyes flicked from Cole to Julie as the bodyguard changed his stance, and the hunter seemed to consider something before letting it go and pursuing a different thought.

“What about our friends the vampires?  Do we think they are gonna stay waiting much longer?”  Dean asked.

“We should probably talk with them again,”  Sam offered.

“No!”  Cole interjected then slipped back into his place in the shadows with a stern look from Julie.  Dean considered the man for a moment again.

“Cole’s right, it’s not the time to talk with the Alpha Vampire yet.  I have a feeling that he will be willing to wait to hear from us but his price might go up the longer we wait.”  Julie side-eyed Cole, who seemed satisfied with her response.  “I’m meeting with Bobby tomorrow morning.  We have a way to force King Michael into action,”  Julie explained.  “I can’t say any more than that.  I know there are spies.”

The group chit-chatted, discussing plans for the baby.  Sam and Julie would be the baby’s Godparents, but Dean had reservations about having the Christening in the Northern Kingdom.  Julie shared the sentiment, anything that had to do with Cardinal Crowley made her uneasy.

“We should get back,”  Cole said a while later and put a hand out to help Julie stand.

“I need to speak with you,”  Dean said taking her hand from Cole’s.  The guard gave him a sharp look.  “In private,”  Dean offered looking from Cole to Sam to Julie.

“It’s fine,”  Julie agreed before giving Cole a warning look.  “I’ll meet you back at the apartment.”  Cole looked like he wanted to argue, but Sam took charge and convince him to leave.  Dean kissed Lisa on the cheek.

“I’ll be right out on the balcony,”  Dean told her, and Lisa went to the room and picked up some socks she had been darning.

“You’re worried about this business with Michael aren’t you,”  Julie spoke quietly and calmly as she leaned easily on the banister.

“Yes,”  Dean admitted.  He wasn’t usually the most open person when it came to his feelings, and this put Julie on edge.  If he was open about this what else was he hiding.

“What’s going on?”  Julie asked.

“What’s going on with you?”  Dean turned on her.  There was no anger, but a fire nonetheless.  “Cole stepped out of line back there, but you not only let it go, but you also agreed with him?  Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way he’s been looking at you, watching your every move.”

“He’s my guard, Dean,”  Julie defended stupidly.

“That’s not how he is looking at you and you know it!”  He had raised his voice now, and Julie shielded her body from him as she stepped back in fear.  Dean looked at her, the way her arms crossed her chest to protect herself from his ire.  A tear slipped down her rosy cheek.  “I understand now,”  Dean said quietly, as he turned away from her.

“It’s not what you think,”  Julie said trying savagely to figure out what she was going to say to Dean.

“You’re pregnant,”  He said as quietly as he could.  Julie stared at him in shock.  She hadn’t prepared for him to figure out her secret.  Usually, Sam was the quicker one, but she figured that maybe Sam was too close to the situation.  “And it’s Sam’s.”

“Yes,”  Julie said resigning herself.

“You’ve signed my brother’s death order.”  Dean snarled.

The dark-haired maid Ruby turned away from the apartment door when she had heard all she needed to and headed back to her master.

“Ah, the Winchester knights!”  King Michael said grandly as Sam and Dean walked into his private meeting hall.  “I’m sorry I forbid you from attending your lady’s ceremony, but I needed to see you without distraction.”

“How can we help you, King Michael?”  Sam asked trying to remain polite.

“That Lady of yours is something quite special,”  The king mused.  “First she claims that you are courting,”  He said walking up to Dean.  “Then she wants you married off to her lady in waiting.  How unusual and quite the low blow to you.”  He was standing behind Dean now and let himself touch Dean’s hair.

“Your majesty, sometimes-”  Sam started to try and change the subject.

“Don’t you dare interrupt me!”  Michael roared at the younger knight.  He calmed and seemed to realize that he was touching Dean.  “I’m thinking of taking Lady Julie for my bride.  She is beautiful, and my chancellors have been uneasy that I have been unwed for so long.”  Sam and Dean tensed at his words.

“She’s not a member of your kingdom,”  Sam said through gritted teeth.

“Oh so you don’t want me to marry her,”  Michael laughed unpleasantly.  “Perhaps you should consider my offer, Dean.  Just say yes, I’ll let the Lady Julie marry whoever she wants.”

“No,”  Dean said firmly.  Michael scowled.

“Perhaps we should go,”  Sam said uneasily.  He seemed to only now realize how dangerous it was for them to be here alone with Michael.  All of their plans could be tossed out the window if they said the wrong thing.

“Think about my offer,”  Michael said.  “You have until the end of your honeymoon.  Enjoy your wedding,”  He sneered.

Those months passed far too quickly. Dean and Lisa were married by the end of the next week by Cardinal Crowley.  News had reached King Michael’s kingdom that Sir John Winchester had died while on the hunt.  And they still had no better plans to protect Dean from the king.

It was late in the evening when Cole came and offered to help Julie out of her corset.  Lisa was still gone for her honeymoon, and Julie didn’t trust anyone else.  

“My lady?  Julie?!”  Cole exclaimed as he ran across the room and caught her before she hit the ground.  He carried her to her bed loosening her corset and checking her breathing.  When he was certain she was alive, he went to the door of the apartment and ordered a squire to fetch Sir Robert.

“What happened?”  Bobby asked when he came into the apartment and Cole led him to Julie’s room.

“She fainted out of nowhere after standing up.  You don’t think she’s hexed do you?”  Cole asked.

“I’m not sure, bring me so warm water and a cloth with a twig of sage.”  Bobby sat in the chair of her room and felt her breath and heartbeat.  “Lady Julie?”  He called quietly as he cracked a vial of smelling salts under her nose.  She pulled away quickly reeling from the abruptness of the smell.

“Bobby?”  Julie asked as she took in her surroundings.

“What have you gotten yourself into, girl?”  Bobby asked rubbing his face tiredly.  “You fainted and about killed your guard with fright.”

“Oh God,”  Julie stared wide-eyed at the floor.

“Is there something I should know?”  Bobby asked going and locking the door before Cole had a chance to come back.

“I might be pregnant,”  Julie whispered looking up at Bobby.

“I’m gonna kill that boy.  I didn’t think you’d be such a fool as to use that key when I had it sent to you,”  Bobby scoffed.

“I already had it off by the time I got the note from you,”  Julie blushed hard.  “So at least you can spare yourself any blame.”

“You can’t tell anyone.  Not yet, not Dean, not Lisa, not Cole, not even Sam,”  Bobby said seriously.  “If they know it’ll change what they are going to do about this business with Michael.  We aren’t ready for a change at this level.  So keep quiet and keep yourself in check.”  Julie nodded agreeing with the older man.

“I have one problem with your plan,”  Julie said.  “I have to tell Cole.  He needs to protect me.  He knows all of my secrets.”

“All of them?”  Bobby asked begrudgingly.  “If you think that is best, then that’s fine, but he can’t tell anyone else.”  And with that Bobby left her apartment.

“You’re with child?”  Cole asked trying to hide his hurt as he sat in her room.  “I suppose I should have seen it coming, with how often you see Sam.”

“You can’t tell anyone, not even Sam,”  Julie emphasized.

“I would never betray you like that,”  Cole agreed, reaching out to take her hand.  “Do you love him?”

“Yes,”  Julie said with a soft smile.

“He’s a good man, and loves you,”  Cole said before kneeling in front of Julie.  I’ll keep you and your child safe, Milady.”

“Thank you,”  Julie said standing and holding Cole’s head against her belly like a dotting mother. “I’ll take care of you to the full extent of my power.”  It was a simple agreement but the weight of their words laid heavy on both of them.

“When do you think you’ll have the baby?”  Cole asked standing as Julie sat back down.

“Not for a while I’m sure.  I’ve only missed one cycle,”  Julie said as she tried to remember with all the stress of coming to the northern kingdom.

“Two,”  Cole corrected.  “You’ve missed at least two.”  She looked at him speculatively as he seemed to keep better track of such things than her.

“Go bribe that squire so he doesn’t tell everyone that Sir Singer was here.”  Julie teased as she graced him with a small smile before laying down.

“Milady,”  Lisa’s voice broke through Julie’s sleep and she sat up.  “King Michael has summoned you for an official ceremony.”  Lisa looked concerned as she hand brushed the creases out of the fine dress that Julie did not own.  “The Cardinal had this delivered to you.  I think he might have known what was going on.  He bothers me.”

“Me too,”  Julie said, letting the lady’s maid do her job and wash and primp her for court.  “I shall talk with the king about your wedding to Dean and try to have the arranged for as soon as possible,”  Julie smiled kindly at Lisa and let her pin her hair up and let the curls fall regally.

“Lady Julie, Sir Singer is here to see you,”  Cole said from the other side of her closed door.

“Come in, Cole.  I am decent,”  Her bodyguard entered the room.  

“He would not say what he wanted without your presence,”  Cole said suspiciously.

“Between your paranoia and that old man’s grumpiness, the two of you would rot the legs off tables before coming to an agreement,”  Lisa mused under her breathe.

“Have him come in.  Lisa is still doing my makeup,”  Julie said with a schooled expression.

“Sir Robert,”  Cole announced as Bobby entered her apartment.

“Lady Julie, I have come with information and to offer to escort you to court.  I know for a fact that the King is preparing to increase your title.  I also have it on good authority that it comes with the permission of King Oskar.  I am certain that the King is not intending to marry you,”  Bobby dropped the information like it was a heavy sack.  Lisa’s shoulders loosened visibly at the revelation that the king was not going to try to marry her lady.  Bobby stopped talking and took Julie’s new look.  “Where did you get that dress?”

“Cardinal Crowley had it sent over this morning, with the request the Lady Julie wear it to her official ceremony today,”  Lisa’s voice seemed to drip with venom and hatred as she recalled her encounter this morning.

“That means that the Cardinal knew about your father’s death,”  Bobby said.  His tone of voice confirmed to Julie that it was as dangerous as it sounded.

“I will gladly accept your arm, Bobby.  Do you know where the Winchester’s are?”  Julie asked.  She had enough schooling to not ask for Sam by name.

“They had something they were discussing.  But their presence will be expected at court,”  Bobby said.

“Milady,”  Cole handed Julie a small blade.  “Your father wanted me to give this to you after he died.  He didn’t say why,”  Cole said.  

“Thank you, Cole,”  Julie responded taking the sheathed blade and waiting for Lisa to finish fussing over her hair.

“Sir Robert, I am ready,”  Julie announced as Lisa held a coat and stood behind her.  Cole took a position at the door ready to open it for them as Bobby extended his arm for her.

“Lady Julie Thompson and escort, Sir Robert Singer,”  The herald called as she entered the room.  Julie’s procession walked into the throne room, where the King and his lords stood in formal garb.  The court Secretary stood next to Michael with a parchment that he unfurled and began to read from when she stopped and knelt in front of the king.

“His Majesty King Oskar grants to the Lady Julie Thompson, by proxy of Domain Sovereign King Michael, the title of Countess.  This deed confers the land and purse owed to this position to Lady Julie, in her own right, and her children.”  

Michael came and stood in front of Julie, helping her to her feet before putting a small crown of position on her head.  He walked around her and took the cape from Lisa before draping it over Julie’s shoulders and went back to his thrown.  The Secretary handed her the deed, before taking his position again.

“I shall grant you a single boon, on the behalf of your king,”  Michael said grandly.

“Thank you, King Michael.  I have come to ask that your majesty agrees to the marriage of Sir Dean Winchester and my this lady of high birth, Lisa Brayden.”  Julie said as Lisa stepped up next to her to curtsy.

“I shall grant this favor for you, Countess,”  Michael eyed her thoughtfully, as Julie curtsied and her procession left the great hall.

“Lady Julie,” Garth rushed up to her once they were away from most prying eyes and bowed awkwardly.  “Cardinal Crowley sent men to your apartment when you were gone.  I don’t know what he took but nothing he does ever has a good ending.”

“Thank you, Garth,” Julie said before she saw Cole depart the group with a sour look on his face.

“What could he have been looking for?”  Bobby asked Julie seriously.

“I’m not sure. Perhaps he was looking at proof of something.  Our arrangement with the people we met might have put him in a delicate position.  He might try and return the favor,” Julie said referring to the vampires they had felt with.

“If you can think of anything that might make you vulnerable to an attack you just tell me immediately.  Your request for Dean and Lisa’s marriage has you currently unattached.”  Bobby said, patting her hand.

“Speaking of, where are the Winchester brothers?”  Julie asked looking around briefly.

“I’m sure it was important,”  Lisa assured her from behind.

“So wait, King Oskar transferred the title of Countess to you?”  Dean asked as he paced in Julie's sitting room.

“Yes,”  She answered, confirming exactly what she had already told him.  “Now that I am a lady of my own title, it would make sense that my lady’s maid should be married.”

“What are you suggesting, girl?”  Bobby asked, sounding more cranky than usual.

“I think Dean should marry Lisa, it will get the two of us out of our awkward situation and keep Michael from having any sway over Dean,”  Julie said standing up and walking around to Lisa.

“You - what?”  Dean asked, trying to process the statement.

“We can talk about that more, in private,”  Julie said, dismissing his question.

“We have another problem.  It sounds like King Oskar is giving you to Michael as a peace offering.”  Cole said.

“Wait, you said that the letter was signed by the King’s secretary?”  Sam asked.  His eyes scrunched together as if he was deep in thought.

“Yes, why?”  Julie turned to look at him as he spoke.

“Nickolas has long been after the throne, despite his lack of station.  Our father talked about it a few times.  What if Nickolas is in league with King Michael?”  Sam asked.

“Or has his own agenda,”  Dean offered.

“Do you think he is the reason that the vampires are so strongly centered around Oskar’s kingdom,”  Julie mused.

“That would fit into our speculation that Oskar was too clueless to be part of the scheme,”  Sam mused.

“Oh Oskar’s not the threat in that royal couple,”  Bobby chuckled.

“What?”  Julie and the brothers all echoed.

“It’s the queen who is the threat there,”  Bobby said like it was obvious.

“Queen Rowena?”  Julie asked thinking about all the times the Queen had been polite and kind to her.  “But she’s foreign, I thought that wouldn’t put her in the know?”

“Oh, she’s old blood.  Don’t let her sweet smile mislead you,”  Bobby said.

“Could she be in on it then?”  Dean asked.

“Maybe,”  Julie said, unsure of whether the queen would do that to her.

“Well, we have Dean squared away safe and sound,”  Cole said, drawing attention back to himself.  “What about you, Countess?”  He asked, offering the new title so Julie could be more comfortable when she was addressed with it.  “You won’t be safe until Michael has no way to touch you.”

“I have an idea for that too,”  Julie said.  Her eyes flitted over to Sam, but the action was unnoticed by all but Dean.  Julie couldn’t tell if he was holding back a smile or a snarl, but she knew that he was aware of her thoughts.  “Bobby make our transition back to court tomorrow as easy as possible if you can.”

“Yes, milady,”  He bowed before leaving her chambers.

“Bobby didn’t need to know what else I have been thinking about but this next part concerns everyone here,”  Julie moved to sit in her chair again.  “Dean, you and Lisa can talk in my room if you please.”

“What’s going on with them?”  Cole asked as they shut a door behind them.

“Lisa is pregnant,”  Julie said.  It was information that the bodyguard needed to know to keep them safe, and knowledge that would not be hidden from Sam for long.  “They need to be wed quickly if your brother agrees to it.”

“Agreed,”  Sam said before turning to her.  “Julie, what is your plan to safeguard yourself from the king?”

“If we get married, Sam, our union will protect me and Dean,”  Julie said almost shyly.  A look of pain crossed Sam’s face briefly.

“I’d like that.  I will consult with Dean about it,”  Sam said, taking her hand.  Dean and Lisa came out of the room at that time, the look of shock on Dean’s face told them all that it was not what he was expecting.

“I think you two should go back to your apartment.  You have a lot to discuss and we will regroup tomorrow before court, so we can make announcements if need be.”  The brothers left the room, and Lisa retired for the night.  Cole stayed with Julie to help her out of her corset.

“If Dean and Lisa marry, there will be questions about your relationship with him,”  Cole said as he loosened the knot on the corset.

“It will work out the way it is supposed to, Cole,”  Julie said.  There was a knock at the door and Cole checked it, returning quickly.

“This is for you,”  He said, handing her a letter.  “Who is it from?”  He asked.

“My father,”  Julie said, recognizing the way her father wrote her name.

“Read it, maybe it talks about why Winchester Sir killed him.  What he was doing with the vampires and the likes,”  Cole urged.

“Finish my laces, I’ll read in private if you don’t mind,”  She whispered, barely holding back tears.

“Yes, milady,”  He answered, loosening her so she could finish this work.

Julie changed into her nightclothes then settled in her bed to read the note.  She cried as she read about all the horrible things her father had done and plotted for other people.  She couldn’t believe her eyes as she read the written confession.  He had been working behind King Oskar’s back with Nickolas to take over the kingdom, which Nick believed to be his by some long lost blood relation.

“Julie?”  Hours had passed since she had laid in her bed, and Sam’s quiet voice inside her room almost made her screams.

“Sam?  What are you doing here?”  Julie asked, pulling the blanket up to her chin.  She thought in retrospect that it was a stupid and unnecessary move.

“I,”  He chuckled, and Julie could see him rubbing his head in the cute way he did when he was embarrassed.  “I missed you.  Do you mind if I sleep with you for a time?”

“I’d like that,”  She smiled and made space for him on her bed.  “How is your brother?”  Julie asked as Sam started to strip to his sleep shirt.

“You should have seen the dumb grin on his face when we were in private.  I don’t think he wants to admit that he is happy.  But I do know that he has been very fond of Lisa for some time now.  I would venture to say this would be a good union for them,”  Sam said smiling.

“Yes, I heard briefly of how fond they were of each other.  Not in much detail,”  Julie moved the papers from her father.

“Yes, well be thankful for that.  What are you doing?”  Sam asked as she placed the letter from her father on the bedside table.  Julie hesitated for a moment.

“My father sent this to me.  I think he knew he was going to die,”  She offered him the pages that he father had scribbled.

“It’s not signed, how do you know it was him?”  Sam asked.  His body had gone rigid reading the letter.

“I would recognize the handwriting anywhere,”  She replied simply.

“You had no idea that your father was involved in any of these things?”  Sam asked.

“If it wasn’t for the fact that I am an only child, I don’t think my father would have kept me in the know of any of his affairs,”  Julie shrugged before taking the pages back.  “What do you think I should do with them?”

“Burn them,”  Sam replied seriously.  “If anyone finds them, they could implicate you in your father’s crimes.”  Julie took the pages and held them over the nightstand candle before they caught ablaze.

“Well, that was dark and serious,”  Julie smiled before turning to rest her head on Sam’s arm.  “Make me smile, Mr. Winchester.”

“I was hoping you would say that,”  Sam smirked before slipping beneath the duvet and kissing the insides of her thighs.

“Lady Julie,”  Lisa rustled Julie from her fitful sleep.  “Sir Sam is awake and I need to get you ready.”

“Thank you, Lisa,”  Julie said sitting up and letting the maid undress her.  Lisa fretted with Julie’s make-up longer than any other part but eventually seemed to give up.

“Whatever happened has left a bruise,”  Lisa said with a sour expression.  “I wish you’d tell me, or at least Cole where you went last night,”  Lisa whispered.   Julie gave her a dark look, then stood to head out to meet with Sam and Cole.

“I am ready,”  Julie announced to her escorts.  Sam turned to say something to her but stopped mid-sentence as he noticed her lip.  Cole moved up to her and held her chin to inspect her face.

“What happened?”  Cole asked enraged.

“You’re hurting me,”  Julie said, placing her hand over his to try and remove his touch.  Cole’s face softened and he removed his touch from her.  “You forget yourself, Mr. Trenton.”

“My apologies, Lady Julie,”  Cole murmured righting himself and walking out toward the stables where Garth was waiting.

“What have you done?”  Sam asked quietly as they walked.

“What I had to do,”  Julie looked side-long at Sam.  “For everyone safety.”

“Are you injured in any other way?”  Sam asked as they entered the stable and loaded their belongings onto their horses.

“No, I’m fine, Sam,”  Julie said.  “We must hurry.  It will take some time to get to the vampires and we shouldn’t get there during the day.”  Cole and Sam nodded their agreement.

“Lady Julie,”  Garth spoke up quickly, handing her a piece of paper.  “From Sir Singer.”

“Thank you, Garth.  I would like you to inform Sir Dean that we have left on urgent business and will not return for several days,”  Julie said to Garth, who frowned.  “So that he will know when to tell the King we shall return,”  Julie quirked an eyebrow down at the lanky man.

“Oh right, of course, Milady.”  Garth flourished grandly before moving out of the trio’s way.  

They rode well into the afternoon not talking as the animals jostled them roughly before stopping for a break.

“There is a cabin through there,”  Cole pointed into the woods.  “Sir Singer said that a friend of his owns the land and would be fine with us staying there.  We should store our things there and get ready for your exchange.”

“Yes, thank you, Cole,”  Julie said as gently as she could.  She needed to make amends for the way she had disrespected her guard, and until then she was walking on eggshells with him.  They walked the horses to the small cabin and tethered them to a hitching line.  The door creaked as they opened it from lack of use and a fine layer of dust covered most of the surfaces inside.

“I’ll go see if I can find some water and light,”  Cole said placing their things down before heading off.

“Julie,”  Sam said once they were alone in the cabin.  She was stringing her bow and wiping down a place to put her bedroll.  “I’m sorry to ask, but is there something going on with you and Cole?”  Sam looked very uncomfortable and Julie smiled at him fondly.

“No, Sam.  Mr. Trenton has long looked after me, and did on one occasion ask my father for my hand,”  She dropped her gaze momentarily.  “My father told him, no, but I have never had an eye for Cole.”

“What happened to you last night?”  Sam asked, closing the space between them and cradling her cheek in the cup of his hand.

“I went to King Michael and told him the Crowley was using him,”  Julie said, closing her eyes and letting a tear slip down her cheek.

“You what?”  Sam pulled away from her and starred.

“I had to give us time.  Time to meet with the vampires and try to get anything on our side,”  Julie took a step back from Sam and looked at him with pleading eyes.  She wanted him to understand so badly her heart hurt.

“Why would you go to him alone?  I- I would’ve gone with you,”  Sam said quietly.

“I couldn’t bring you.  The only one who could go with me was Dean, and I didn’t want Michael to have a chance to corner him.  Please understand,”  She sobbed.  “I had to go to him to give us a chance.  Us,”  She reiterated the word to try and get her meaning across.

“Julie,”  Sam sighed before closing the space between them and kissing her.  She whimpered and pulled away as pain arced through her lips.  “I’m sorry,”  Sam cried as he let her go and she raised her hand to her mouth.

“No, I think that was Michael’s plan.  So that I would think of him if anyone kissed me,”  She practically snarled.  “I won’t let him win.”  She said straightening her back and putting her hand down.  Sam took it in his hand and pressed her against his chest.

“We won’t let him win,”  He said with purpose.

“I’ve found the nest,”  Cole said as he came back into the cabin.  “It’s a short enough walk from here.”

“Lead the way,”  Julie said taking her bow in hand and following the bodyguard.

“Are you sure you want to go armed?”  Sam asked, nodding at her bow.  “It won’t do you much good against them.”

“It is more a showpiece than anything else,”  Julie said not stopping as she followed Cole.  The group approached an old chateau, and Cole knocked on the outside of the door.

“What do you want?”  A man scowled through the door.  Cole looked over his shoulder at Julie.

“I come bearing Lady Julie, at the urgent request of your leader,”  Cole said formerly.  There was a scuffling of feet on the other side of the door and Julie and her escorts stood silently for a moment before the door opened grandly.

“Lady Julie you are most welcome, please leave your escorts outside and come in,”  A voice called from within.  Sam put his hand on Julie’s shoulder possessively.

“I’ve made my share of deals with the Devil,”  Julie called into the house.  “I shall come in, accompanied, and armed.”

“Whatever makes you most at ease in my home, Lady Julie,”  The man called.  Cole walked in first with Julie between him and Sam.

“Lady Julie,”  Cole announced as she took the position in front of the dark-skinned man sitting on a high chair.

“Yes, I know who you are,”  He spoke.

“And who are you, sir,”  Julie said standing tall.

“I am the first Vampire, the Alpha,”  He said smoothly.

“And your name?”  Sam asked noting the distinct lack of mention.

“I have long since forgotten,”  Julie kept her face still, but inside she trembled as she realized how far out of their depths they were if he was speaking the truth.  “Thank you for coming, I’m sure it was dangerous for you to leave.”

“I hope that we can come to an understanding,”  Julie said amicably.  “You are aware of King Michael’s plot against the Pope?”

“Of course, we are his weapon,”  He smiled cruelly.  “Mind you, we have no strife with Pope Charles.”

“Then why aid the king?”  Sam asked confused.  The alpha vampire looked at him, measuring him for the first time.

“Lady Julie, your escort believes he has the right to speak during our negotiations.  Please silence him,”  The Vampire had no intention of speaking with Sam.

“You will remember your place and not speak again, Sam,”  Julie said harshly without looking at him.  Her tone was the same as when she had corrected Cole for touching him, but she had remembered that John Winchester had a reputation among the monsters, and didn’t want to give Sam away.  That might have ended all negotiations.

“You deal with your men efficiently,”  The Alpha chuckled.  “I respect that.  Obedience is the key to survival, which is why I have aligned myself with King Michael.  I wish to keep the peace with the current leadership.”

“If Michael was no longer to go after the Pope, or he was not in command you would desist?”  Julie asked understanding his meaning.

“Of course.  But these are of course a fool’s hope.  Lady Julie, we both know that King Michael intends to have his war by any means.”  He looked at her, obviously noting her lip.  “I am glad I was not misled when I was informed of your beauty,”  Julie curtsied knowing it to be the way of men to note her looks.  “However,”  she looked at him surprised.  “I was not informed of your determination and cunning.  I can smell it on you if you will forgive my lewdness.”

“Don’t,”  Julie said throwing her arm out in Cole’s direction as his hand touched his sword and he took a step forward.  The bodyguard stopped mid-step at her command.

“Aha, you have them at your beck and call.  I apologize.  What I meant is that I can see that you will go just as far as Michael, if not further, to get what you want,”  He stood and smiled at her as he approached.  “Are you in love, Lady Julie?”  He asked as he circled her like a vulture.  Sam and Cole held incredibly still, not wishing to betray the cloak of authority she was wearing.

“Yes,”  She said not looking at Sam.

“Honest!  How refreshing, Lady Julie I must say I admire you greatly.  I feel like we can come to an agreement.  I shall tell Michael that I will have to delay our attack on the Vatican.  Does this please you?”  He asked taking his seat.

“Yes,”  Julie answered simply, then pressed her luck.  “Will you also keep your children,”  She pointed around at the other vampires, “from attacking me and my entourage.  I would seem Michael has had the pick of your litter.”  Julie added the last in the hopes of riling him up.

“I see you know just how to talk to a man, Lady Julie,”  He spoke slowly.  “I shall make sure that you and your servants are untouched by my vampires until you are forced to leave these lands by the King.”

Julie curtsied and Cole and Sam bowed before the group left quickly back to the cabin.

“Are you okay?”  Sam asked when they had all gotten inside.

“Yes,”  She said taking a calm centering breath.  “I apologize for the way that I have treated you both.  But I appreciated that you have played my game,”  She looked at Cole and he gave her a gentle smile.

“So we have the vampires on the hold and Michael at odds with Crowley.  What is next?”  Sam asked looking around the cabin.

“Sleep,”  Cole answered.  “None of us slept well the night before, and we had a hard ride here.”  Julie laughed softly to herself at the guard's words.  Then she went over to the fire to eat some of the rations they had brought with them.

“Where are you going, Cole?”  She asked as he walked to the door.

“To see if I can find some fresh game in these godforsaken woods,”  He said.  Something was bothering him still she could tell, but asking him again would only frustrate him more.  So she only nodded.

“Sam,”  She said turning to find the tall knight right next to her.

“Yes,”  He replied his eyes darting to her lips.

“Not to be forward, but can you help me with my laces?”  She asked with a genuine smile.

“Bobby?”  Dean asked turning to look at the old man.  “What’s going on?”

“I’ve gotten word about what’s supposed to happen tomorrow at court,”  Bobby looked tired as if the old man had been up most of the night.  “I’ve been looking for a way around it, but I’ve got nothing so far.”

“What have you learned?”  Julie asked as she moved to a sitting chair.

“Michael is going to demand King Oskar send men to fight the Pope,”  Bobby said before crossing himself.

“What?”  Julie’s eyes went wide at the implications of the statement.

“But he can’t do that, can he?”  Dean asked obviously not seeing the trap.

“He’s going to make Dean demand it of Oskar,”  Sam said quietly.  Bobby nodded his head quietly.

“I’ll just tell him no,”  Dean stated the obvious.

“NO!”  Sam and Cole both exclaimed before regarding each other.

“If you tell him no, then the king’s body-servant reveals that Julie was in his room alone,”  Bobby said.  “She’d be ruined.”

“We can all attest that she went there under duress of the holy man,”  Cole’s attempt was valiant but Bobby waved his words away.

“The King will use his leverage to marry Julie.  His knowledge of her will give him the right to trump Dean’s wooing.”  Bobby finished as Julie stood up and looked away from the group.  She chewed her lip deep in thought as the men continued to argue.

“If Michael marries Julie then he has her to sway the Oskar as well as her father, who has the king’s ear,”  Sam said mulling the thought.

“Lady Julie?”  Lisa asked startling everyone.

“What is it?”  Julie asked her maid.  She was holding a small folded letter.

“This was in your room.  I was going to give it to you in the morning,”  The Lady’s maid said faintly.  Julie took the folded letter and read it to herself.

“What is it?”  Cole asked as he moves to stand near her.

“It’s from the vampires,”  Julie muttered darkly.  “Apparently they want to meet.”

“No,”  Dean and Sam both said in unison this time.

“Wait, hold on,”  Bobby said holding a hand in front of the brothers.  “If The vamps turn against Michael he won’t have the support he needs to take out the Pope.”

“What happens if we aren’t at court tomorrow, Bobby?”  Sam asked.

“It would be very bad,”  The old knight sighed dramatically.

“What if Dean stays to delay Michael?” Cole suggests.  Julie glances at Cole sensing a deeper mistrust for the older brother.

“That could work,”  Bobby seems to contemplate this idea, trying to see a downside.

“Yea, but-”  Dean started to protest the idea, standing quickly to take a more authoritative stance.

“I’ve made my decision,”  Julie said.  Everyone stopped and looked at her.  “Dean will stay with Bobby and Lisa to help him.  Cole and Sam will escort me to the Vampire’s nest just before sunrise.”

“What about Crowley?”  Lisa asked practically shaking in her shoes.

“I’ll handle him,”  Bobby said with a shrug.

“You guys can’t be gone too long,”  Dean said with a finger between Julie and Sam.  “I don’t know how long I will be able to keep Michael at bay.”

“Let’s rest,”  Julie said ushering the men from her room but letting Lisa stay.

“I’ll send Garth to ready your horses,”  Bobby said to Sam before leaving Julie’s apartment.

                                                  ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

“Lisa, I need you to pretend to be me, in case anyone comes in here,”  Julie whispered and pulled on more covering clothes.

“Why, milady?”  Lisa asked assuming the place that Julie had wanted her to be.

“I need to speak with the King,”  Julie said in a determined tone.  Lisa pulled the covers on the bed high so that no one would be able to tell if it was her or Julie.  “I will be back soon.  If I am not back before sunrise, tell Cole where I have gone.”   Julie saw Lisa’s head wiggle under the covers then departed out the window.

“Lady Julie, My King.”  The servant in Michael’s suite called.  The King came into the sitting room to see her and thrust his coattails back before taking her hand to kiss.

“Lady Julie, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”  He said graciously.

“The holy man Crowley is planning to betray you, Sire,”  Julie said without small talk.

“You must be mistaken,”  Michael chuckled unamused.

“I am not, I know that you seek to overthrow Pope Charles, and I have learned that Cardinal Crowley has put the Winchester brothers in the awkward place of helping him.,”  Julie said.  She watched Michael for any signal of his knowledge of this, but as any surprised man, he stiffened at her words.

“What do you want for your information?”  Michael said quietly as he stood straight.

“First, you fire your body servant.  He is in the cardinal’s pocket,”  she said pointing at the young man who had introduced her.  “Second, don’t move on the Pope until I have more information on what the Cardinal’s end goal is.”  Julie knew she was pressing her luck, but she had to try.

“Last time you came here,”  Michael gestured grandly at his room.  “You were promised you wouldn’t be touched.”  It was Julie’s turn to stiffen.  “I will give you your demands, if,”  Michael took her by the wrist and pulled her close to him.

“If what?”  Julie asked trying to maintain her dignity.

“If you let me kiss you,”  Michael said brushing Julie’s hair out of her face.  “If not, I will tell Crowley you are the reason his mission to save the Pope has failed and I will cast you to the wolves.”

“Very well,”  Julie said without much of a choice.

“Tell me you want it?  I shall not force myself on you,”  Michael grinned disgustingly.  Julie nearly vomited in her mouth, and the fleeting thought that it was still forced even if she chose to do it, crossed her mind.

“Please, kiss me, Michael,”  She was hoping the boldness of his name without a title would work in her favor.  Michael threaded his fingers into her hair and pulled hard enough to part her lips for his kiss.

It was harsh and messy, as he licked the inside of her mouth and kissed her.  She was about to pull away from him when he bit down on her bottom lip, breaking the skin and drawing blood.  He licked her lip and the bleeding stopped quickly,

“You may leave now, Lady Julie,”  Michael released her and shooed her toward the door.  “Unless you want to stay for more.”

“Thank you, Sire, you are very generous,”  Julie said as she moved quickly to the door.  “Also, I shall be unable to attend court tomorrow.  As part of my investigation.

She scurried out of the king’s rooms and back to her apartment, sliding into the bed with Lisa.  The lady’s maid was still awake and she went off to her bed after fussing shortly over Julie’s injured lip.  Julie slept then finally, exhausted with the knowledge of the work she was in for.

“Sam,”  Dean called as the older brother met the returning group in the stables.  “Sam, thank God you’re back, we’ve got a real problem.”

“What?!”  Sam yelped as he dismounted his horse and went over to Julie.  “We were only gone three days, how much trouble could you have gotten into?”

“This is not the place for this,” Cole warned as he looked at the stable boy who was nearby.

“Cole’s right,”  Julie said as she looked between the brothers.  “Get Bobby and meet in my room.”

“Eventful trip?”  Bobby asked as they gathered in Julie’s sitting room.

“Quite successful,”  Julie said quickly,  “But apparently you all had some trouble while we were away.”

“I was unaware of this trouble,”  Bobby shrugged.  “In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve got Crowley on the ropes.”

“What did you do?”  Sam asked, addressing Dean.  There was a clatter as Lisa dropped a pitcher, pouring the contents on the ground.  Julie looked between Dean and her lady’s maid.

“Oh God,”  Julie whispered.

“I’m sorry, mistress,”  Lisa said.

“Does anyone know?”  Julie stood and walked toward Dean.

“I don’t think so.  We were here, no one saw us come or go,”  Dean replied.  Julie placed her hand on his shoulder.

“What now?”  Sam asked, deflating.

“Nothing's gonna change,”  Bobby said gruffly.  “King Michael still has his thumb on you two, splitting up will only inflame that situation.”

“Right, well at least we’ve got good news,”  Sam said rolling his shoulders and looking up at Julie.

“Yes, we got the vampire leader to agree to hold off the attack on Pope Charles.  But we have to basically dethrone Michael to prevent his help,”  Julie went back to her seat, sighing heavily from their long trip.  She’d had to discreetly convince Sam and Cole to stop more than once due to the dull ache between her legs.

“What have you got on Crowley?”  Sam asked Bobby.

“The Cardinal has a son,”  Bobby said darkly.

“What?”  The whole group gasped collectively.

“We aren’t going after children,”  Julie stated resolutely.

“He’s not a kid, all grown up.”  Bobby grinned.  “Gives us some leverage against the Cardinal.”

“I’m tired, and I need to mull everything over,”  Julie said.  “Please excuse me,”  Lisa shooed all the men out of the apartment and sent Cole off to find some food.

“Milady, I know this is a bad time for more bad news,”  Lisa said kneeling in front of Julie.  “But I’ve missed my bleeding for at least two months now.”

“What?”  Julie asked, eyes wide.  She knew her lady’s maid was no virgin, but Julie was having trouble processing this information.  “Whose is it?”

“I’m not sure, milady,”  Lisa covered her face to sob but quickly recovered herself.  “It might Sir Dean.”

“Might be?”  Julie looked at her skeptically.

“I had another suitor back at home.  Close to the same time as Dean,”  Lisa said.  “Should I leave you, lady?”

“No, Julie.  I would never cast you out,”  Julie said holding her maid close and hugging her.  

“Have you told Dean?”

“No, mistress.”

“Let’s keep it that way for now.  Give me time to think.  Also, I shall see to increasing your stipend,”  Julie said.  “Now please help me get out of my dress.  I am ready for bed.”  Lisa started pulling the pins in Julie’s dress and taking her clothes away to wash them.

“Milady?!  Where is your belt?”  Lisa asked, seeing her mistress bare.

“Oh,”  Julie said looking down at herself.  She had forgotten that she and Sam had disposed of the horrible device.  “It may have been removed,”  Julie chuckled lightly at her statement and Lisa smiled at her.

“The other handsome Winchester brother, milady?”  Lisa smiled at her.

“Don’t tell anyone,”  Julie let Lisa slide a clean shift on her.

“I would never betray your confidence, milady.  You’re practically my sister now,”  Lisa said.  As if a thought passed her over, Lisa became bold and hugged Julie tightly.

“What was that for?”  Julie asked as the maid released her.

“I may not be strong like Cole or the knights, Julie, but I shall always protect you.  Like you have protected me all this time from the wrath of the world.  I would protect you from the wrath of your father,”  Lisa said very seriously.

“Lisa, I would never put anyone in the line of my father’s wrath.  People have died, and I cannot protect you from that,”  Julie said.  “Did they give you your new bed?”  She asked to change the subject.

The dark-haired servant girl Dean had talked to his first day in the Northern Kingdom smirked as she overheard the conversation between Julie and Lisa.  She had finally found something for her master to use in his fight for the crown.