Winchester's Grace
Title: Winchester's Grace - Trouble (Book 1)
Author: AG
Status: WIP
Summary: Dean Winchester had never been tempted to give up his wild ways. As far as people knew, he'd never met a woman who'd made him want a relationship. A forever. But they didn't know everything.
Rating: M (but will sometime go into MA, however will warn)
Disclaimer: BtVS and Supernatural are owned by their creators, Eric Kripke and Joss Whedon. This is for entertainment purposes only. The only thing I own are my OCs.
Made by the awesome sunriserooftops
( Prologue)
Chapter 1
Who Are You?
13 Years Earlier...
June
Coming to New York to find the Slayer had taken John Winchester out of his comfort zone. Cities had never really welcomed him with open arms in the past; too many people cramped together in the one place, which also meant too many witnesses. Now that he was here, however, his apprehension had been replaced with surprise. He watched the Slayer from a distance and in awe, her thin athletic form, flowing dark hair and her eyes… she truly was a unique creature.
He had researched the myth of the Slayer before making the trip and had some preconceived notions as to what they were capable of… but this young girl had still managed to surprise him; it wasn’t a sensation he had experienced for some time.
She looked perfectly at ease as he watched her take down three vampires with next to no effort at all; her face a mask of concentration and a slight but noticeable smile as she worked the long thin heel of her black leather boot through the chest of the final vampire. John had to admit that the girl’s skill was breathtaking, even within the parameters of her legend.
“Oh boy, you’re gonna be trouble,” he whispered as he watched her.
Leaning his back against the brick wall to his left, he let out a deep breath. John knew he wasn’t talking about himself - oh no, this girl was going to cause trouble for the boy coming around the nearby corner at that very moment.
Dean glanced at his dad leisurely leaning against the wall and gave him a disdainful look.
‘While does he get to relax while I have to scour the nearby alleyways?,' he thought to himself.
He wisely kept this comment to himself, and instead all he asked was, “Did you get them?”
John gave his son a sideways glance as he came to a stop beside him and right on cue he watched as Dean’s eyes widened and a coy grin spread across his face.
Debating the situation silently for a moment, John looked from Dean to the girl; it was no secret that his son was a womanizer, even at seventeen, but he knew in his heart that this girl was different and felt that keeping them apart would be best for everyone involved. It wasn’t to protect the girl… hell she could clearly do that herself; the protection was for Dean. John could see that this girl was special but her fate was tied up elsewhere and this was something he knew Dean could never come to terms with.
Dean looked back at his dad, waiting for an answer.
Motioning his head towards the girl John answered, “No, she did.”
Dean looked back to the girl and laughed aloud, “Yeah right,” he scoffed.
Realising his father wasn’t laughing along with him, Dean stopped and turned his attention back to the girl. Taking in her relaxed pose, a frown formed and he looked back to his dad, “What the hell…?”
“Watch you tongue boy!” John interrupted sternly.
“Sorry, sir,” Dean looked down sheepishly.
Scanning the alley around them, all Dean could see was the strange girl. He took a closer look at her.
Though the girl’s beauty still wasn’t lost on him, his thoughts now were more inquisitive than carnal. The girl didn’t look as though she could fight off papa smurf let alone the three vampires he and his dad had been tracking this whole time.
He could gather she was around the same age as him, possibly older but then he knew you never could tell. Her attire consisted of skin tight black jeans that were now covered in dust. Dean watched as brushed them down, taking care to wipe her boots; the heel on them was at least three to four inches in length.
As she straightened up, he noticed a low cut tank that was visible underneath her long, faded black leather jacket. He also saw that she wore a plain silver cross, which hung loosely around her neck and came to rest on the white material of her top.
The entire ensemble made her pale skin seem almost porcelain in the dimly lit alleyway; if he didn’t know any better he would have put money on her being a vampire.
Still unsure what the hell was going on, Dean glanced expectantly from the girl to his dad before finally asking, “Seriously though, do you mean that she found them?” He pointed to the girl then looked around the alley, “Where are they then?”
Ignoring Dean’s questions John motioned his hand out to the girl, “Dean, I’d like you to meet the Slayer.”
---
Grace Summers could see them out of the corner of her eyes; she had seen - and heard - them the moment they had entered the alley. Grinning slightly at the older man’s assumption, she turned to give them her full attention.
“I’m not the Slayer,” she stated matter of factly.
Curiously she took in the two strangers blocking her way; the older of the two looked friendly but determined whereas this younger companion was staring at her with a sly grin painted on his face. He looked no older than her and for a moment she had a fleeting moment of recognition. Shaking her head slightly she knew this to be impossible, except she couldn’t stop that nagging feeling that she knew him.
Making her way towards them she put her hand out to shake theirs, prompting an introduction, “Not yet anyway, who’s askin’?” she continued.
Dean clasped his hand around hers and shook it; he couldn’t help but notice that her hand looked so small and delicate when placed within his own. He quickly looked up and saw that her smile never faded and her eyes gave nothing away - Dean swallowed when he looked into her eyes. He had never seen eyes like hers, they were a piercing shade of dark violet working into a vibrant pink rim around the pupil.
He couldn’t quite place it but her eyes looked… soulful, implying a wealth of knowledge and experience that felt at odds with her apparent age; without warning he was completely lost within those lilac pools. He suddenly became very aware that he had been holding her hand for a few seconds now… awkwardly he let go, noticing the silver ring on her middle finger, before introducing himself, “Dean Winchester.”
John watched her as she smiled at Dean… one thing was eerily evident; she wasn’t threatened by them at all. He wondered for a moment if she was just confident in her own abilities or whether she genuinely considered them to be of such a low threat that she didn’t even need to show caution. Neither option gave him any kind of comfort… in fact, it made him afraid; the sheer potential of what this girl may be capable of was staggering.
Grace held her hand out to John as he pushed himself off the wall. As he shook her hand, he gave her a cautious stare, “John Winchester,” he said and let go of her hand, “ So, if you aren’t the Slayer… who is?”
“I am!” came a harsh voice from behind them, “Who wants to know?”
Turning in his heel John came face to face with a woman about his height. Her dark hair and pale complexion was similar to the young girl behind him. The difference being was that this older woman had a distrustful look in her dark brown eyes. She had entered silently into the opening of the alleyway they were standing in; her black cargo pants covered in dust and the arm of her leather jacket was torn.
Grace’s voice piped up before either John or Dean had a chance to introduce themselves again, “Mom, this is John and Dean Winchester.”
She watched her mom size up the two men in front of her; a glimmer of recognition spread across her mom’s flawless features.
“Ah… you’re the hunter that’s been looking for me. Well, you’ve finally found me,” she said, allowing a hint of sarcasm to slip through, “I’m Madison Summers.”
Dean never took his eyes away from Grace, whose face betrayed her emotions. For a brief moment she wore a mix of surprise, confusion and anger. He surmised that she had no idea what was going on and was pissed off about it.
Dean was right; Grace was mad. Her mother hadn’t told her anyone had been looking for her and it irked her to wonder why she would have kept something like that a secret. She wanted to ask her mom outright but decided that this wasn’t the time or place to have that discussion.
Aware that she being watched, Grace knew unquestionably that it was Dean, his green eyes were staring at her with curiosity and with her extra sensory abilities she could tell his thoughts were tinged with adolescent lust. His musky scent reminded her of warm melting chocolate and mentally kicked herself for being the world’s biggest chocoholic.
‘Just a nibble,’ she mused, ‘it’s not like it would harm anyone.’
She was brought crashing back from her thoughts by John’s deep voice.
His tone was serious, “I need your help.”
She heard her mom sigh inwardly but she knew the others wouldn’t have. Even worse, she recognised that sigh; it signalled another job and more time away. Her mom had only just got back from her last job and Grace had wanted to spend some time with her before the next one showed up and took her away; that wasn’t going to happen now. She felt herself becoming angry with the two Hunters, just for being there.
Madison forced her lips into a unconvincing smile and gestured John away from her daughter and Dean. Bowing her head slightly she said, “I’m listening.”
John walked a short distance with Madison, rounding the corner and leaving the alleyway. For an awkward moment, Dean and Grace were left staring after them. Breaking the silence, Dean turned to face his companion, “So,” He began, “… your mom is the Slayer?”
She glimpsed over at Dean, attempting to gauge whether or not he was being rhetorical. She was surprised to find that he was staring at her, intently waiting for a response.
“Yep… did you work that out all on your own?” She replied coldly, “What gave her away? Was it when she said she was the slayer?” Without waiting for an answer she continued, “Come on we better go, mom won’t wait for us.”
She began to walk past him but was stopped as he laid his outstretched hand on her arm, gently but firmly holding her in place. She looked sternly at his arm then shifted her gaze to his.
“So if your mom’s the Slayer, you are…” Dean smiled playfully but curious, looking her up and down, trying to work her out, like she was some sort of puzzle. She hadn’t really said much but she had piqued his interest. He didn’t peg her for a New Yorker; she didn’t have the accent and the way she held herself was as if she had been army trained, even though she definitely didn’t look or act like a soldier. Even her abrupt coldness didn’t put him off; it just added to the mystery.
Grace felt her anger over the situation melt away, all because of Dean and the playful look he was giving her. She decided to have some fun with him; she slowly peeled his hand from her arm. Standing on her tiptoes, leaning towards his ear , all the while taking great care not to touch him, she whispered, “Trouble.”
With that she pulled back and walked past him in the direction their parents had gone, leaving Dean with a grin on his face.
He couldn’t help but stare after her, she was nothing like the women he had met and damn it to hell, he liked it. She was new and exciting and would be a fun challenge. Even though he had been ordered to stay out of trouble before they had arrived in New York and he had absent-mindedly agreed, he wasn’t passing this one up.
Jogging to keep up with this dark haired enigma he repeated his father’s words like a mantra in his head.
I will stay out of ‘trouble’, I will stay out of ‘trouble’, I will stay out of ‘trouble’.
As they rounded the corner Madison’s voice reverberated around the enclosed alley, “Grace!”
Grace paused as it occurred to her that this may not be just another ‘run of the mill’ job if the stern look on her mother’s face was anything to go by. Her mind went into overdrive as she thought of the problem these hunters may have brought with them.
With both hands tucked deep into his pockets Dean came to stand by Grace, “Well well, Trouble’s alter ego goes by the name of Grace.” He laughed loudly, nudging her playfully in the arm with his elbow.
Grace grinned, she appreciated having Dean there; his boyish charm and contagious smile made things just light hearted enough so that they didn’t seem so overwhelming. Grabbing his arm and linking it with hers, she pulled him slightly saying, “You have found me out…I guess that means I have to kill you… shame really.”
She gave him a warm smile, as she briefly saw worry adorn his face, leading him towards her mom and John, they both made the rest of the short distance in silence.
---
Madison kept a watchful eye on Grace as she approached, her arm linked with the young hunter. To anyone else it would have looked innocent enough. Madison Summers wasn’t fooled, however; her daughter was innocent of nothing and the boy… well, they say trouble finds trouble. The hunter she could handle, her daughter on the other hand was a different story.
“We’re gonna head to Bernie’s diner, it’s fairly close. It’s out of the way but it’ll do,” Madison began, looking to John, “Grace and I will go in my car, you can follow behind.”
“I could eat,” Dean spoke up, ignorant of the atmosphere.
Unlinking their arms Grace smiled at him then followed Madison towards a black jeep Wrangler that had been discreetly parked in the dark shadows. Risking a glance back she saw Dean and John crossing the busy street towards the row of parked cars. She hopped up into her seat as Madison started the engine.
---
“Has she agreed to help us or was I right and we wasted our time?” Dean inquired, looking left and right as they stepped off of the curb.
“Not sure yet, but she’s agreed to discuss it,” John answered flatly.
“And you figured the way to convince her was over some pie… I like your thinking!” Dean joked.
John looked at his son as they crossed the street and grinned; Dean had a quick wit that always danced on the edge of inappropriate, just like his mother had and John admired that about him. It wasn’t something he said out loud but he appreciated Dean’s sense of humour… even if more times than not it was at the wrong moment.
Dean pulled the car keys from his jacket pocket and pushed them into the lock of the drivers side door of a black 67’ Chevy Impala. Sliding into the seat he leaned over and released the button from the passenger side door, allowing John to get in.
Turning to look Dean in the eye, John spoke calmly, “Listen, I know what you’re thinking.”
“Do you think they’ll have pie? I mean I could really go for some blueberry…wait, they might have cherry…nah I’m gonna get blueberry!” he mocked enthusiastically.
“Don’t test my patience boy, you know full well what I meant!” John barked.
Dean nodded slowly, “You don’t have to worry. I can behave myself.”
“It’s for your own good. That young girl is next in line for a job that has a high staff turnover,” John looked out the window to the busy streets, his mind casting back to when he had first discovered the mythical Slayer. All he had read, it was hard to believe that so many girls had perished, died fighting in an endless war. The young girl and her mother would also die soon enough. Casting a glance back at Dean he continued, “She’s also fifteen and if you get on the wrong side of her mother there isn’t a damn thing I can do to save you. Tell me you understand?”
Dean looked shocked, “She’s fifteen?”
“Jesus Dean! We need the Slayer’s help and you’re more worried about her jailbait daughter! You need to sort out your priorities!” John shouted.
Wordlessly, Dean started the engine, he watched as Madison’s jeep drove past them, he pulled out to follow. Keep his eyes on the jeep he finally conceded, “I get it. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
---
“Let’s hear it,” Grace glanced at Madison, “What do they need your help with?” she enquired.
“ I don’t have all the details but if I was betting then I’d say demon,” Madison responded, her eyes never leaving the road in front of her.
Keeping her eyes fixed ahead and keeping her voice as neutral as she could, Grace pressed on, “Are they sticking around?”
Madison grinned slightly and glanced towards her daughter; Grace made eye contact briefly before blushing and quickly looking away, “I’m not sure, he didn’t say how long they needed my help or what’s involved yet.”
Grace couldn’t stop herself; she had so many questions and she was prepared to ask as many as she could before they got to Bernie’s, “What’s he like? John, I mean.”
“He seems genuine enough,” Madison shrugged her shoulders, “he was polite at least… not like some of the jackass hunters I’ve came across in the past,” she said with a snort. Then, raising her eyebrow with a trace of amusement, she asked, “What’s the son like?”
Grace felt her face grow hot, “What, uh… he’s alright… Might have some jackass potential but he’s funny, I guess,” she stammered. Grace jumped when she heard Madison laugh.
“Honey, can I trust you to behave yourself?”
Laughing along with her Grace placed both hands on her chest mockingly, “Moi… misbehave? Whatever do you mean?”
“Well for one, he’s a hunter like his dad and that job carries a high staff turnover. Two, he’s older than you and I know how the mind of a teenage boy operates…” she paused, she watched Grace shrink lower in her seat with embarrassment, “ and if he so much as thinks of misbehaving then so help me God I will make him a eunuch.”
Grace sat silently for a moment, taking in all that her mother had told her before finally making eye contact, “Does that mean you’ll rip of his balls?”
To Grace's dismay, there wasn't even a hint of a smile on her mother's face as Madison nodded grimly, “That is a mess I don’t want to deal with and so I’ll ask again, can I trust you to behave?”
Nodding her head slowly, Grace answered, “I’ll behave.”
---
Dean watched as the jeep turned in to the sparsely lit parking lot of a discreet diner that looked like a silver coach without wheels. A flickering sign on top said 'Bernie’s' above a broken neon sign shaped like a cup of coffee. The iron outer shell of the diner was dappled with rust and the stairs leading to the front door were comprised of two wooden boxes of differing sizes. The street around it was dark; a number of nearby streetlights were broken and the flickering light from the sign cast juttering and jumping shadows across the parking lot each time it crackled to life. There were only two other cars in the lot and Dean had a fleeting suspicion those belonged to the staff rather than any customers.
Grace jumped out of the jeep as Dean brought the Impala to a halt along side her. She let out a long wolf whistle as John and Dean got out.
Dean grinned, taking a bow and in a mock Elvis voice he said, “Thank you very much.”
Walking past John clipped him with his hand across the base of the skull and walked to catch up with Madison who was entering the diner. She held the door open as he walked in behind her.
“The whistle was for the car,” Grace laughed as she leant back against the jeep, “does anyone love you as much as you do?” she teased.
“I don’t know, were you looking for the job?” Dean came back confidently.
A pink hue appeared on Grace’s cheek; she quickly looked down to her boots, “ Dean, I know we only just met but I think this is meant to be, as soon as I saw you I felt a connection, a real connection,” She risked a glance up to gauge his reaction, and, even though she saw the shock on his face, she continued. “I think we should make an excuse to leave these two and go have at it in the diner bathroom…what do you say?” she purred, wiggling her eyebrows for effect.
Dean choked back a cough, “What?” Unable to hide his surprise he shook his head, “No what I meant was, really?”
Grace laughed. Pushing herself up off the jeep she lightly punched Dean on the arm, “No! You really are easy, I was only messin’ with you. I’m gonna give you a helpful tip, keep going the way you are and…” she glanced down to his crotch and back up to meet his gaze, “let’s just say that if you get bored afterwards you won’t be able to sit around scratching your balls.”
Dean gulped and looked towards the diner to see Madison staring back; he gave her a forced smile while speaking to Grace in a horrified whisper. “You mean she’ll…?”
Grace nodded.
Dean looked at Grace, “With her bare hands?”
Grace nodded again, “She was pretty particular about that part. She’s very hands on if you get me,” she watched him intently as different emotions crossed his face. Grabbing him by the hand she pulled him towards the diner, “Come on pretty boy, I’m starved.”
Pulling free from her grasp Dean looked nervously towards the diner but Madison had disappeared. Wiping sweat from his brow in relief, he opened the diner doors and watched as Grace walked in ahead of him. This girl could be the death of him, or his manhood, and right now he couldn’t decide which would be worse.
Author: AG
Status: WIP
Summary: Dean Winchester had never been tempted to give up his wild ways. As far as people knew, he'd never met a woman who'd made him want a relationship. A forever. But they didn't know everything.
Rating: M (but will sometime go into MA, however will warn)
Disclaimer: BtVS and Supernatural are owned by their creators, Eric Kripke and Joss Whedon. This is for entertainment purposes only. The only thing I own are my OCs.
Made by the awesome sunriserooftops
( Prologue)
Chapter 1
Who Are You?
13 Years Earlier...
June
Coming to New York to find the Slayer had taken John Winchester out of his comfort zone. Cities had never really welcomed him with open arms in the past; too many people cramped together in the one place, which also meant too many witnesses. Now that he was here, however, his apprehension had been replaced with surprise. He watched the Slayer from a distance and in awe, her thin athletic form, flowing dark hair and her eyes… she truly was a unique creature.
He had researched the myth of the Slayer before making the trip and had some preconceived notions as to what they were capable of… but this young girl had still managed to surprise him; it wasn’t a sensation he had experienced for some time.
She looked perfectly at ease as he watched her take down three vampires with next to no effort at all; her face a mask of concentration and a slight but noticeable smile as she worked the long thin heel of her black leather boot through the chest of the final vampire. John had to admit that the girl’s skill was breathtaking, even within the parameters of her legend.
“Oh boy, you’re gonna be trouble,” he whispered as he watched her.
Leaning his back against the brick wall to his left, he let out a deep breath. John knew he wasn’t talking about himself - oh no, this girl was going to cause trouble for the boy coming around the nearby corner at that very moment.
Dean glanced at his dad leisurely leaning against the wall and gave him a disdainful look.
‘While does he get to relax while I have to scour the nearby alleyways?,' he thought to himself.
He wisely kept this comment to himself, and instead all he asked was, “Did you get them?”
John gave his son a sideways glance as he came to a stop beside him and right on cue he watched as Dean’s eyes widened and a coy grin spread across his face.
Debating the situation silently for a moment, John looked from Dean to the girl; it was no secret that his son was a womanizer, even at seventeen, but he knew in his heart that this girl was different and felt that keeping them apart would be best for everyone involved. It wasn’t to protect the girl… hell she could clearly do that herself; the protection was for Dean. John could see that this girl was special but her fate was tied up elsewhere and this was something he knew Dean could never come to terms with.
Dean looked back at his dad, waiting for an answer.
Motioning his head towards the girl John answered, “No, she did.”
Dean looked back to the girl and laughed aloud, “Yeah right,” he scoffed.
Realising his father wasn’t laughing along with him, Dean stopped and turned his attention back to the girl. Taking in her relaxed pose, a frown formed and he looked back to his dad, “What the hell…?”
“Watch you tongue boy!” John interrupted sternly.
“Sorry, sir,” Dean looked down sheepishly.
Scanning the alley around them, all Dean could see was the strange girl. He took a closer look at her.
Though the girl’s beauty still wasn’t lost on him, his thoughts now were more inquisitive than carnal. The girl didn’t look as though she could fight off papa smurf let alone the three vampires he and his dad had been tracking this whole time.
He could gather she was around the same age as him, possibly older but then he knew you never could tell. Her attire consisted of skin tight black jeans that were now covered in dust. Dean watched as brushed them down, taking care to wipe her boots; the heel on them was at least three to four inches in length.
As she straightened up, he noticed a low cut tank that was visible underneath her long, faded black leather jacket. He also saw that she wore a plain silver cross, which hung loosely around her neck and came to rest on the white material of her top.
The entire ensemble made her pale skin seem almost porcelain in the dimly lit alleyway; if he didn’t know any better he would have put money on her being a vampire.
Still unsure what the hell was going on, Dean glanced expectantly from the girl to his dad before finally asking, “Seriously though, do you mean that she found them?” He pointed to the girl then looked around the alley, “Where are they then?”
Ignoring Dean’s questions John motioned his hand out to the girl, “Dean, I’d like you to meet the Slayer.”
---
Grace Summers could see them out of the corner of her eyes; she had seen - and heard - them the moment they had entered the alley. Grinning slightly at the older man’s assumption, she turned to give them her full attention.
“I’m not the Slayer,” she stated matter of factly.
Curiously she took in the two strangers blocking her way; the older of the two looked friendly but determined whereas this younger companion was staring at her with a sly grin painted on his face. He looked no older than her and for a moment she had a fleeting moment of recognition. Shaking her head slightly she knew this to be impossible, except she couldn’t stop that nagging feeling that she knew him.
Making her way towards them she put her hand out to shake theirs, prompting an introduction, “Not yet anyway, who’s askin’?” she continued.
Dean clasped his hand around hers and shook it; he couldn’t help but notice that her hand looked so small and delicate when placed within his own. He quickly looked up and saw that her smile never faded and her eyes gave nothing away - Dean swallowed when he looked into her eyes. He had never seen eyes like hers, they were a piercing shade of dark violet working into a vibrant pink rim around the pupil.
He couldn’t quite place it but her eyes looked… soulful, implying a wealth of knowledge and experience that felt at odds with her apparent age; without warning he was completely lost within those lilac pools. He suddenly became very aware that he had been holding her hand for a few seconds now… awkwardly he let go, noticing the silver ring on her middle finger, before introducing himself, “Dean Winchester.”
John watched her as she smiled at Dean… one thing was eerily evident; she wasn’t threatened by them at all. He wondered for a moment if she was just confident in her own abilities or whether she genuinely considered them to be of such a low threat that she didn’t even need to show caution. Neither option gave him any kind of comfort… in fact, it made him afraid; the sheer potential of what this girl may be capable of was staggering.
Grace held her hand out to John as he pushed himself off the wall. As he shook her hand, he gave her a cautious stare, “John Winchester,” he said and let go of her hand, “ So, if you aren’t the Slayer… who is?”
“I am!” came a harsh voice from behind them, “Who wants to know?”
Turning in his heel John came face to face with a woman about his height. Her dark hair and pale complexion was similar to the young girl behind him. The difference being was that this older woman had a distrustful look in her dark brown eyes. She had entered silently into the opening of the alleyway they were standing in; her black cargo pants covered in dust and the arm of her leather jacket was torn.
Grace’s voice piped up before either John or Dean had a chance to introduce themselves again, “Mom, this is John and Dean Winchester.”
She watched her mom size up the two men in front of her; a glimmer of recognition spread across her mom’s flawless features.
“Ah… you’re the hunter that’s been looking for me. Well, you’ve finally found me,” she said, allowing a hint of sarcasm to slip through, “I’m Madison Summers.”
Dean never took his eyes away from Grace, whose face betrayed her emotions. For a brief moment she wore a mix of surprise, confusion and anger. He surmised that she had no idea what was going on and was pissed off about it.
Dean was right; Grace was mad. Her mother hadn’t told her anyone had been looking for her and it irked her to wonder why she would have kept something like that a secret. She wanted to ask her mom outright but decided that this wasn’t the time or place to have that discussion.
Aware that she being watched, Grace knew unquestionably that it was Dean, his green eyes were staring at her with curiosity and with her extra sensory abilities she could tell his thoughts were tinged with adolescent lust. His musky scent reminded her of warm melting chocolate and mentally kicked herself for being the world’s biggest chocoholic.
‘Just a nibble,’ she mused, ‘it’s not like it would harm anyone.’
She was brought crashing back from her thoughts by John’s deep voice.
His tone was serious, “I need your help.”
She heard her mom sigh inwardly but she knew the others wouldn’t have. Even worse, she recognised that sigh; it signalled another job and more time away. Her mom had only just got back from her last job and Grace had wanted to spend some time with her before the next one showed up and took her away; that wasn’t going to happen now. She felt herself becoming angry with the two Hunters, just for being there.
Madison forced her lips into a unconvincing smile and gestured John away from her daughter and Dean. Bowing her head slightly she said, “I’m listening.”
John walked a short distance with Madison, rounding the corner and leaving the alleyway. For an awkward moment, Dean and Grace were left staring after them. Breaking the silence, Dean turned to face his companion, “So,” He began, “… your mom is the Slayer?”
She glimpsed over at Dean, attempting to gauge whether or not he was being rhetorical. She was surprised to find that he was staring at her, intently waiting for a response.
“Yep… did you work that out all on your own?” She replied coldly, “What gave her away? Was it when she said she was the slayer?” Without waiting for an answer she continued, “Come on we better go, mom won’t wait for us.”
She began to walk past him but was stopped as he laid his outstretched hand on her arm, gently but firmly holding her in place. She looked sternly at his arm then shifted her gaze to his.
“So if your mom’s the Slayer, you are…” Dean smiled playfully but curious, looking her up and down, trying to work her out, like she was some sort of puzzle. She hadn’t really said much but she had piqued his interest. He didn’t peg her for a New Yorker; she didn’t have the accent and the way she held herself was as if she had been army trained, even though she definitely didn’t look or act like a soldier. Even her abrupt coldness didn’t put him off; it just added to the mystery.
Grace felt her anger over the situation melt away, all because of Dean and the playful look he was giving her. She decided to have some fun with him; she slowly peeled his hand from her arm. Standing on her tiptoes, leaning towards his ear , all the while taking great care not to touch him, she whispered, “Trouble.”
With that she pulled back and walked past him in the direction their parents had gone, leaving Dean with a grin on his face.
He couldn’t help but stare after her, she was nothing like the women he had met and damn it to hell, he liked it. She was new and exciting and would be a fun challenge. Even though he had been ordered to stay out of trouble before they had arrived in New York and he had absent-mindedly agreed, he wasn’t passing this one up.
Jogging to keep up with this dark haired enigma he repeated his father’s words like a mantra in his head.
I will stay out of ‘trouble’, I will stay out of ‘trouble’, I will stay out of ‘trouble’.
As they rounded the corner Madison’s voice reverberated around the enclosed alley, “Grace!”
Grace paused as it occurred to her that this may not be just another ‘run of the mill’ job if the stern look on her mother’s face was anything to go by. Her mind went into overdrive as she thought of the problem these hunters may have brought with them.
With both hands tucked deep into his pockets Dean came to stand by Grace, “Well well, Trouble’s alter ego goes by the name of Grace.” He laughed loudly, nudging her playfully in the arm with his elbow.
Grace grinned, she appreciated having Dean there; his boyish charm and contagious smile made things just light hearted enough so that they didn’t seem so overwhelming. Grabbing his arm and linking it with hers, she pulled him slightly saying, “You have found me out…I guess that means I have to kill you… shame really.”
She gave him a warm smile, as she briefly saw worry adorn his face, leading him towards her mom and John, they both made the rest of the short distance in silence.
---
Madison kept a watchful eye on Grace as she approached, her arm linked with the young hunter. To anyone else it would have looked innocent enough. Madison Summers wasn’t fooled, however; her daughter was innocent of nothing and the boy… well, they say trouble finds trouble. The hunter she could handle, her daughter on the other hand was a different story.
“We’re gonna head to Bernie’s diner, it’s fairly close. It’s out of the way but it’ll do,” Madison began, looking to John, “Grace and I will go in my car, you can follow behind.”
“I could eat,” Dean spoke up, ignorant of the atmosphere.
Unlinking their arms Grace smiled at him then followed Madison towards a black jeep Wrangler that had been discreetly parked in the dark shadows. Risking a glance back she saw Dean and John crossing the busy street towards the row of parked cars. She hopped up into her seat as Madison started the engine.
---
“Has she agreed to help us or was I right and we wasted our time?” Dean inquired, looking left and right as they stepped off of the curb.
“Not sure yet, but she’s agreed to discuss it,” John answered flatly.
“And you figured the way to convince her was over some pie… I like your thinking!” Dean joked.
John looked at his son as they crossed the street and grinned; Dean had a quick wit that always danced on the edge of inappropriate, just like his mother had and John admired that about him. It wasn’t something he said out loud but he appreciated Dean’s sense of humour… even if more times than not it was at the wrong moment.
Dean pulled the car keys from his jacket pocket and pushed them into the lock of the drivers side door of a black 67’ Chevy Impala. Sliding into the seat he leaned over and released the button from the passenger side door, allowing John to get in.
Turning to look Dean in the eye, John spoke calmly, “Listen, I know what you’re thinking.”
“Do you think they’ll have pie? I mean I could really go for some blueberry…wait, they might have cherry…nah I’m gonna get blueberry!” he mocked enthusiastically.
“Don’t test my patience boy, you know full well what I meant!” John barked.
Dean nodded slowly, “You don’t have to worry. I can behave myself.”
“It’s for your own good. That young girl is next in line for a job that has a high staff turnover,” John looked out the window to the busy streets, his mind casting back to when he had first discovered the mythical Slayer. All he had read, it was hard to believe that so many girls had perished, died fighting in an endless war. The young girl and her mother would also die soon enough. Casting a glance back at Dean he continued, “She’s also fifteen and if you get on the wrong side of her mother there isn’t a damn thing I can do to save you. Tell me you understand?”
Dean looked shocked, “She’s fifteen?”
“Jesus Dean! We need the Slayer’s help and you’re more worried about her jailbait daughter! You need to sort out your priorities!” John shouted.
Wordlessly, Dean started the engine, he watched as Madison’s jeep drove past them, he pulled out to follow. Keep his eyes on the jeep he finally conceded, “I get it. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
---
“Let’s hear it,” Grace glanced at Madison, “What do they need your help with?” she enquired.
“ I don’t have all the details but if I was betting then I’d say demon,” Madison responded, her eyes never leaving the road in front of her.
Keeping her eyes fixed ahead and keeping her voice as neutral as she could, Grace pressed on, “Are they sticking around?”
Madison grinned slightly and glanced towards her daughter; Grace made eye contact briefly before blushing and quickly looking away, “I’m not sure, he didn’t say how long they needed my help or what’s involved yet.”
Grace couldn’t stop herself; she had so many questions and she was prepared to ask as many as she could before they got to Bernie’s, “What’s he like? John, I mean.”
“He seems genuine enough,” Madison shrugged her shoulders, “he was polite at least… not like some of the jackass hunters I’ve came across in the past,” she said with a snort. Then, raising her eyebrow with a trace of amusement, she asked, “What’s the son like?”
Grace felt her face grow hot, “What, uh… he’s alright… Might have some jackass potential but he’s funny, I guess,” she stammered. Grace jumped when she heard Madison laugh.
“Honey, can I trust you to behave yourself?”
Laughing along with her Grace placed both hands on her chest mockingly, “Moi… misbehave? Whatever do you mean?”
“Well for one, he’s a hunter like his dad and that job carries a high staff turnover. Two, he’s older than you and I know how the mind of a teenage boy operates…” she paused, she watched Grace shrink lower in her seat with embarrassment, “ and if he so much as thinks of misbehaving then so help me God I will make him a eunuch.”
Grace sat silently for a moment, taking in all that her mother had told her before finally making eye contact, “Does that mean you’ll rip of his balls?”
To Grace's dismay, there wasn't even a hint of a smile on her mother's face as Madison nodded grimly, “That is a mess I don’t want to deal with and so I’ll ask again, can I trust you to behave?”
Nodding her head slowly, Grace answered, “I’ll behave.”
---
Dean watched as the jeep turned in to the sparsely lit parking lot of a discreet diner that looked like a silver coach without wheels. A flickering sign on top said 'Bernie’s' above a broken neon sign shaped like a cup of coffee. The iron outer shell of the diner was dappled with rust and the stairs leading to the front door were comprised of two wooden boxes of differing sizes. The street around it was dark; a number of nearby streetlights were broken and the flickering light from the sign cast juttering and jumping shadows across the parking lot each time it crackled to life. There were only two other cars in the lot and Dean had a fleeting suspicion those belonged to the staff rather than any customers.
Grace jumped out of the jeep as Dean brought the Impala to a halt along side her. She let out a long wolf whistle as John and Dean got out.
Dean grinned, taking a bow and in a mock Elvis voice he said, “Thank you very much.”
Walking past John clipped him with his hand across the base of the skull and walked to catch up with Madison who was entering the diner. She held the door open as he walked in behind her.
“The whistle was for the car,” Grace laughed as she leant back against the jeep, “does anyone love you as much as you do?” she teased.
“I don’t know, were you looking for the job?” Dean came back confidently.
A pink hue appeared on Grace’s cheek; she quickly looked down to her boots, “ Dean, I know we only just met but I think this is meant to be, as soon as I saw you I felt a connection, a real connection,” She risked a glance up to gauge his reaction, and, even though she saw the shock on his face, she continued. “I think we should make an excuse to leave these two and go have at it in the diner bathroom…what do you say?” she purred, wiggling her eyebrows for effect.
Dean choked back a cough, “What?” Unable to hide his surprise he shook his head, “No what I meant was, really?”
Grace laughed. Pushing herself up off the jeep she lightly punched Dean on the arm, “No! You really are easy, I was only messin’ with you. I’m gonna give you a helpful tip, keep going the way you are and…” she glanced down to his crotch and back up to meet his gaze, “let’s just say that if you get bored afterwards you won’t be able to sit around scratching your balls.”
Dean gulped and looked towards the diner to see Madison staring back; he gave her a forced smile while speaking to Grace in a horrified whisper. “You mean she’ll…?”
Grace nodded.
Dean looked at Grace, “With her bare hands?”
Grace nodded again, “She was pretty particular about that part. She’s very hands on if you get me,” she watched him intently as different emotions crossed his face. Grabbing him by the hand she pulled him towards the diner, “Come on pretty boy, I’m starved.”
Pulling free from her grasp Dean looked nervously towards the diner but Madison had disappeared. Wiping sweat from his brow in relief, he opened the diner doors and watched as Grace walked in ahead of him. This girl could be the death of him, or his manhood, and right now he couldn’t decide which would be worse.