Blue Road to Nowhere
Blue Road to Nowhere
Pairing: Dean/Jo
Rating: M
Spoilers: Set in Season Four Episode Criss Angel is a Douche bag
Summary: It’s a Monday afternoon when Jo found her mother’s body.
It’s a Monday afternoon when Jo found her mother’s body.
Her feet felt like lead as she moved closer toward the couch, noting her mother’s pale complexion and open eyes, staring sightlessly at the ceiling.
“Mom?”
She had just returned from helping out a hunter named Mike with a nasty haunting a few towns over. Mom had been bitching at her, telling her not to go. Ellen hated when she went out hunting.
“There are other ways to be close to your daddy.” Ellen had said, arms crossed in front of her chest.
Jo glanced over her shoulder as she shoved a pair of jeans into her duffel bag. “Not like this.” She said. She zipped up her bag and shouldered it.
“Joanna Beth-” Her mother started.
“Mom.” Jo interrupted. “I’m not a little girl anymore.” She moved until she was standing in front of Ellen. “I’ll be fine. It’s just some ghosts. I’ll be back before you know it.” She kissed Ellen’s cheek.
Ellen pulled her into a hug. “Stubborn like your damn father.” She said softly. She let her daughter go. “I guess there ain‘t no way of stopping you..” A loud horn was sounded and she sighed. “Get out of here.”
Jo grinned and hurried down the stairs.
“And take your jacket incase its cold!” Ellen called.
“Bye Mom!”
If she had known those words were the last words she had said to her mother, she would have stayed.
Before she knew it, Jo is in front of her mother, shaking her. “Mom?” She repeated, gritting her teeth in desperation when she received no response. “Mom! Mom!” She shook her again, trying hard to ignore how cold her mother’s skin feels. She quickly stood up and reached for the phone, her hands shaking as she dialed 911.
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“My mom,” She said quietly. Her voice quivered, on the verge of tears, but she fought them back. “She’s passed out-”
“Is she responsive at all?”
Jo shakes her head then answered. “No. She’s not breathing either. I need help. Please send someone.”
“Okay. Just stay calm. What’s your address?”
“2400 Henkly drive.”
“Okay. Someone should be there very shortly. I’d like you to stay on the phone with me until they arrive. Ma’am? Ma’am? Can you hear me-”
She goes deaf, staring at her mother’s lifeless body. She knew. She knew her mother was gone, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe they could help her. Maybe- Her thoughts suddenly stuttered to a halt and she blinked. She could hear sirens getting closer and it’s just a few more minutes before someone is knocking on her door.
“They’re here.” She said before clicking the phone off. She hurried over toward the door and opened it, letting the paramedics inside.
She clutched the phone to her chest as she watched them move her mother to the floor so they could work on her. They shined a light into her eyes and placed an oxygen mask over her face.
They worked on her for a full fifteen minutes before one of them shook their head.
“She’s gone man.”
She blinked. “What?” She whispered. She watched as they pack up their things and stand to approach her.
“I’m sorry miss, but your mother is….”
It’s all a blur after that.
She knew somewhere in between the paramedics leaving after telling her that her mother is dead, she vomits twice. Sometime after vomiting the coroner arrived to take her mother’s body away. She followed him to the hospital ten minutes later.
********
“Valvular Stenoisis.” The doctor explained, using big words instead of saying that her mother had heart valve disease and her heart gave out. She stared up at him blankly as he explained she’d had the diagnosis for a year and deterioration by failed treatments.
She goes home, tearing through her mother’s bedroom. Searching for answers. She’s shocked to find a bag full of medication in her sock drawer with labels of names she’d never heard of in her life. She continued her search and then she finds papers in a box buried deep into her mom’s closet. They’re lab results. EKGs and other tests. She shuffled through to the last paper, a diagnosis which she noticed, is in fact a year ago. Just four days after her birthday.
She sat on the floor for the rest of the day crying so hard it makes her stomach hurt.
**
The funeral was on Thursday.
There were only hunters in attendance. Her mother had already been buried earlier that day and they had all gathered at her house after the service. She sat on the living room couch in her black dress, her arms crossed in front of her chest. She watched as most of the hunters milled about, talking quietly and eating the food two of the hunter’s wives had helped prepare.
They had done this at her dad’s funeral. She knew that she should be probably walking around, thanking everyone for attending like her mom had done, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t move from her spot and she swore if one more person came up to her to say ‘sorry for your loss’ , she was going to snap.
“You sure you aren’t hungry honey?”
She glanced up at the woman holding a plate of what looked like a casserole. She shook her head. “No thank you.”
“Let the girl be Shelia.” One of the hunters, Jim was his name, said as he came up to them, a glass of whiskey in his hand.
“I’m just trying to see if she’s hungry Jim.” Shelia said, an annoyed smile on her face.
“You mom was a good woman.” Jim continued. “Bill was a lucky son of a bitch to have a lady like her.”
Jo blinked up at him then at his wife who was smiling and nodding. She sighed heavily and glanced back down at her hands.
“To Ellen and Bill!” Jim cheered. “Best two people to ever walk this fucked up earth!”
“Here here!” Every agreed, holding up their drink.
She doesn’t think of what she does next, but the moment it happened, sharp pain vibrates throughout her hand and Jim is lying flat on his back.
The room falls silent from shock before Jim began to laugh uproariously along with everyone else.
“Just like your mama!” Someone shouted.
She turned to go before anyone could see the tears start to gather in her eyes.
She continued to sit in the bathroom for the rest of the day; ignoring Bobby’s quiet urgings that she come out. She doesn’t come out until nightfall when everyone is gone. She slowly made her way down the stairs, pausing as she heard someone moving about in the kitchen. Bobby must’ve stayed to make sure she was alright and she rolled her eyes to the high heavens. She didn’t need anyone taking care of her.
She moved toward the kitchen. “Bobby?” She called. “You didn’t have to-” She trailed off as she pushed the door open, her eyes widening slightly as she realized it was not Bobby in her kitchen but- “Dean?” She whispered.
Dean looked up from the chocolate cake he was busy cutting into. “Jo,” He greeted like it’s the most normal thing in the world for him to be standing in her kitchen eating chocolate cake. “Bobby left a while ago.” He held up a bottle of cheap whiskey. “Drink?”
She blinked. Opened and closed her mouth many times before shaking her head.
“That’s crap.” She said, walking over toward the shelf next to the sink. “My mom keeps the good stuff in here.” She pulled out a bottle of Jim Beam and four shot glasses.
*****
This should be bizarre to her. She took a swallow of her first shot with a sigh as it burned its way down her throat. She glanced up at dean, watching as he downed his own shot before reaching for his second glass and downing his second one.
The last time she had seen him, she had dug a bullet out of his shoulder after a demon possessed Sam had shot him. He said he would call her and she knew he wouldn’t. Then she heard he was dead and she had cried all week after finding out, lying to her mom about having a bad period. Then she heard he was alive again, how she would never know, but here he was now, in her kitchen sharing a bottle with her.
“So,” She started softly. She paused to take another shot. She reached for the bottle and poured herself some more. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to pay my respects of course.” He answered with a nod. He lifted glass toward his lips and downs the drink. He slammed it on the table “I’m s-”
“Don’t.” She interrupted him, her voice cold. “I don’t want to hear that word sorry. I’ve been hearing it all damn day.” She looked away from him as she reached for her second glass. She swallowed it down and slammed it down onto the table. She reached for the bottle again and poured herself some more. “How’s Sam?” She asked, glancing up. She’s surprised at the shadowed expression that crosses his face.
He doesn’t answer her, instead goes and cuts himself another piece of cake.
Somewhere around the seventh shot she’s only a little dizzy. She’s always been a good drinker. She’s always been able to handle her liquor. She thinks she got that from her dad. She eyed Dean, unsurprised to see him sitting steady and focused, his hand barely trembling as he poured himself another shot. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Did Bobby tell you to baby-sit me?”
Dean snorted as he shook his head. “No. I saw all this food and decided to stay.”
“Figures.” She said. She finished off her eighth shot “Whoa.” She whispered as the world tilted to the side and back again. She shakes her head with a laugh.
“You alright?” Dean asked with a smile.
She looked up at him. “Uh huh.” She reached for the bottle and poured herself another drink. “Any interesting hunt’s lately?” She asked. She purposely doesn’t bring up the being dead thing, because it seemed like the wrong time.
“Not particularly.” He lied, playing with a hang nail on his thumb. “Heard you was hunting now.” He shoved a piece of cake into his mouth as he glanced at her with a small smirk.
Her fingers played with the shot glass as she smiled at him. “The rumors are true. Much to the displeasure of my-” She trailed off from the pain she suddenly feels at the mere thought of her mother. She sighed shakily. “She hated that I was hunting. I didn’t get it. I mean, both she and my dad were hunters. What did she think I was gonna do? Take up knitting?”
Dean took another shot before responding. “Maybe she wanted a normal life for you.”
She snorted. “Normal? Normal waved bye bye when my father got killed by a Hell spawn.” She took another shot and slammed the glass down hard.
Dean looked at her uncomfortably. “Jo-”
“I love hunting as much as I love breathing.” She said quietly. She looked down at her hands as she felt tears start to fill her eyes. “She had been bugging me for days not to go out on that hunt. I didn’t understand why she was bitching at me so much. I can’t help but to keep thinking that if I had stayed then maybe she wouldn’t have-maybe I could’ve-I could’ve-” She trailed off not bothering to finish because the thoughts sound stupid in her own head. She could feel his eyes watching her and she wiped her tears away, flushing from embarrassment.
Dean doesn’t bother to offer her any words of comfort. She’s okay with that. She wasn’t really in the mood for it anyway. Plus, she’s pretty sure if he tried she would punch him. Besides, there’s a strength in his silence and that was comfort enough.
She poured another shot and quickly downed that one. She could barely taste the liquor anymore.
He shoved another piece of cake into his mouth while he poured himself another shot. “Bobby told me you put a fist to Jim Vernlly.”
Her eyes widened and she glanced down at her right hand. Her knuckles were still slightly swollen. “Oh yeah.” She giggled. “I forgot all about that.” She giggled again and she knew she was really really drunk because she never giggles. “He was so drunk and annoying.”
Dean nodded. “He’s always annoying and drunk. Nobody likes that guy.” He cut himself another piece of cake.
“His wife made that cake.” She said.
He shoved the piece into his mouth. “God bless her.” He said, mouth full.
Jo smiled as she watched him. She knew she’s over her limit because the one Dean is slowly turning into two Deans. She blinked at him as he said something she couldn’t understand. “Huh?”
He bit into more cake. “I asked if she made the rest of the baked goods?”
She placed her cheek in her hand as she leaned against the table. “I think she made the cherry pie and the peach cobbler but that’s it.” she watched amused as his eyes go wide with pleasure from the mere mention of those tasty treats. She could feel the room start to spin and tilt uncontrollably. She blinked up at Dean, her vision swimming in front of her. “Hey Dean?”
“Hmm?” He answered, concentrating on finishing off the chocolate cake.
“I’m trashed.” She said and her head falls forward, hitting the table.
*****
She woke up in Dean’s arms as he slowly carried her up the stairs toward her bedroom. She sighed and buried her face in between the side of his neck and shoulder. She inhaled his scent with a happy sigh.
“Are you sniffing me?” He muttered.
“Sure am.” She answered.
Dean sighed and paused in the hallway. “Room?” He asked.
She pointed to the first door on the left.
He gently kicked her door opened and lied her gently onto her bed. He glanced around her room with a slight frown. “Not quite what I expected.”
She stretched back against the pillows as she watched him through lowered lids. “What did you expect? Ponies and Rainbows? Or did you forget that I’m a grown woman?”
He smirked down at her. His expression amused. “No.” He answered. “No I didn’t forget.” He leaned down to slip her shoes off.
She let him. “First time I get you alone in my bedroom and all you’re doing is tucking me in.” She complained. “Christ this sucks.” She turned away from him and buried her face into her pillows. She drifted off into a dreamless sleep swearing she heard him mutter the words ‘I agree’ before she was completely unconscious.
***
She’s up the next morning with a Texas sized headache and the taste of a foot in her mouth. She groaned to herself and turned to glance at the time, surprised to see a glass filled with a liquid she couldn’t identify and two yellow pills sitting beside said glass.
“Should take that before it spoils.” A gruff voice advised.
She glanced up, shocked to see Dean sitting on the chair in the far corner, leafing through a magazine. “You’re still here.” She said softly. It hadn’t been a dream then.
He glanced up at her. “Of course I am.” He said as if he being here was a natural normal occurrence. He nodded toward the glass and the pills. “Better get going on taking that stuff. It has a quick expiration date.”
She picks up the pills and the glass. “What is it?”
He gives her a small smirk. “The yellow pills are for the headache. The other stuff…you don’t want to know.”
She shrugged and popped the pills into her mouth. She lifted the drink toward her lips and drank the strange concoction down. It tastes sweet, but kind of slimy and fishy. She nearly gags but forced it down. She placed the now empty glass back onto the table.
“Fuck that’s gross!” She said and looked up at Dean’s chuckle. She’s surprised to see him watching her with something close to being impressed. She’s even more surprised when the headache instantly fades and the sea of nausea she feels is instantly gone. She felt almost brand new.
“What was that stuff?” She asked.
He glanced back down at his magazine. “Just your a famous Dean Winchester hangover helper. I repeat, you don’t want to know what was in that stuff.”
“Well thanks.” She said and glanced around her room, sober and lost for words. All she wanted to do is watch him because no matter how far he goes away; no matter how long he stays out of her life, the minute she’s in the same room as he is, those old feelings come back fast and hard. She wanted to know why he was still here. Why he wasn’t in a hurry to leave like he always is? Where the hell was Sam?
She started with the last one. “Where’s Sam?”
The same shadowed expression crosses his features and this time she’s sure she sees something very close to pain there now.
“Haven’t a clue.” He answered her shortly.
She shifted uncomfortably at his cold tone. “Did you guys have a fight or something?”
His expression darkened even more, but he doesn’t answer her just continued to leaf through the magazine; clearly telling her he didn’t want to talk about it.
“Gonna go take a shower.” She said quietly.
*********
She tilted her head back as the hot water hit her face.
It’s been three days since her mother’s death.
Right now her mom would be banging on the door, bitching about not using all of the hot water. She laughed to herself as she imagined just that happening. She closed her eyes tightly and could hear her mother banging loudly on the door, yelling her full name so loud the neighbors could probably hear.
She’s startled when the door suddenly swung open and banged against the wall.
“Jo!” Dean barks. “How the hell do you work your oven?”
She stood there under the spray of he water, hand to her chest. She didn’t answer, just bursts into tears. By the time Dean pulled the curtain back, her sobbing was nearly uncontrollable.
“Jo?”
She sobbed harder, not caring for the fact that he was seeing her naked, crying like a fool.
Dean sighed and reached over to switch the shower off, reaching for a towel as he did. “Come on.” He said, wrapping the towel securely around her body. He pulled her out of the tub and reached for another towel on their way out of the bathroom.
She was down to sniffles as he sat her on her bed and went to work on drying her hair, expertly scrubbing back and forth. He moved toward the back of her hair and gently rubbed. She was surprised by how sure he seemed. Like he was used to taking care of people this way. He probably was she realized.
She vaguely remembered her mother and father having a conversation about Dean’s family. How John would leave his boys alone for days sometimes weeks at a time to go on a hunt. Dean was always the one left to take care of Sam. He had probably been doing it his whole life. She looked up at him through her tears, surprised at the extreme concentration he had going on. She reached up to wipe her tears, but more keep coming.
“There you go.” He said, leaning down so that he was eye level with her. He wiped her tears away with the damp towel and handed it to her. “You’ve turned into a regular old snot monster.”
She huffed out a laugh and he grinned at her.
“Thanks.” She said quietly.
“No problem.”
She glanced down, flushing from embarrassment. She glanced back up ad her eyes widened in surprise at the look he was giving her. She had seen that look many a time while working at the road house. Even now at the bar she works in.
He wanted her.
“Dean?” She whispered softly.
It was only moments later before they were kissing. They both sighed as her mouth opened and his tongue slid up against hers, both them battling for the upper hand. She wrapped her hands around his face as the kiss deepened. He broke the kiss first and she tilted her head back as he kissed her neck. His hands untied the towel she wore and he gently pushed her back against the mattress.
She leaned onto her elbows, watching him watch her. She was wet already and she opened her legs to show him. She flushed at the way his eyes darkened.
Dean lifted the t-shirt over his head and tossed it onto the floor, kicking his shoes off as he did. He unbuttoned his jeans and slid them down. He kicked them off along with his socks.
Jo licked her lips as her eyes scanned him from top to bottom. Muscled chest, broad strong shoulders and muscled thighs. Her eyes paused on his hardened length between his legs. She felt herself grow even more wet as he reached down and stroked himself. She crooked a finger at him.
He was in her arms a moment later, kissing her wildly. She kissed back, just as wildly, sucking his tongue deep into her mouth. She could feel his hardness against her stomach and she moaned.
“Jesus Jo!” Dean exclaimed as he pulled away from her mouth. He grinned at her. “Who the hell taught you that?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
He grinned and lowered his head.
“Oh Fuck!” She moaned as his lips wrapped around the rosy tip of her left breast into his mouth and sucked hard. His right hand moved to massage the other, squeezing and pinching in a way that drove her wild.
She lifted her head as his lips suddenly moved between her breasts for a small kiss. She watched as his lips moved lower down her body, pausing to dip his tongue into her navel.
She laughed and he grinned up at her. She lifted herself onto her elbows, watching through lowered lids as he kissed her abdomen and lifted her right thigh, placing it over his shoulder. He leaned forward and she fell back against the mattress as his mouth was suddenly there.
Her hips canted as he suddenly sucked on her clit and she knew he’d be good at this. He was literally devouring her, groaning the same exact way that he had when he was eating that chocolate cake. Jo could literally feel him drawing the wetness from her and she knew she should feel embarrassed by the amount of wetness she felt being drawn from her, but she wasn’t.
The pressure and pleasure was too much for her. She placed her hands on his head, pushing his mouth harder against her.
“Oh, god,” she whispered. “Dean-” she trailed off and whimpered as she felt the pressure building in her stomach and move down. Her eyes widened and she shuddered as she came. Her legs clamped over his head as he continued to lick her and she keened in the most embarrassing way. “No.” She said weakly.
Dean ignored her and continued to poke at her with his tongue. Once then twice.
Jo laughed and gathered her energy to scramble backward on the bed. Dean followed her and she gasped as his lips were on her again. “No!” She groaned weakly pushing his head away. “Too much.”
Dean grinned and pulled away. He wiped his mouth with the back of his head and crawled up her body. He gave her a toothy grin.
“Good huh?”
She rolled her eyes at him, a small smile coming onto her face. Instead of answering, she pulled him down for a deep kiss. She could feel his hardness brush against her thigh. She pulled away from his mouth.
“Condoms?” He breathed, but she shook her head.
“No.” She said softly. “We don’t need one. I-I’m on the pill.” She knew it was stupid, but she had wanted this for years. She has had hundreds of fantasies about this. She wanted to feel all of him.
Dean kissed her once. “You sure?” He asked and she nodded.
She felt him push at her opening and they both groaned as he easily slid inside.
Everything seemed to stop.
She rested her hands onto his shoulders as he closed his eyes tightly. Her hands caressed down his back and up again. “Dean?” she whispered.
“Just…just give me a minute.” He said, his voice strained. “Jesus Jo you’re tight.”
She flushed from the statement and smirked up at him. “Been quite a while for you huh?”
He opened his eyes and stared down at her, his eyes dark from lust. “You have no idea.” He answered and moved his hips once.
Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh yeah.” She breathed as she felt the suddenly jolt of pleasure as he moved. She slid her hands down, just above his ass and lifted her hips, urging him on. “Come on Dean.” She whispered. “Fuck me already.”
“Bossy.” He said, kissing the side of her neck as he moved his hips. “Fuck.” He hissed.
She clutched his ass in her hands and squeezed. “I sure wish you would already.”
*******
She turned onto her side, putting her back to him. She could feel him sticky inside her and she sighed, knowing she was going to need another shower. She closed her eyes as she placed her arms underneath her pillow, her thoughts turning. This has probably turned out to be the saddest strangest week of her life. She shook her head and laughed out loud.
“What is it?” Dean asked his voice suspicious. “Sex with me is funny?
She laughed harder this time. Shaking her hand as he leaned over her. “No. It’s just- Everything is so…” She trailed off again and swallowed. “You have no clue how long I’ve thought about this. Ever since the first time I saw you.” She didn’t really care if she sounded pathetic. “You probably don’t even remember the first time you saw me.”
Dean was quiet for a long moment and she thought maybe he had fallen asleep. “October of 2001. You had on these daisy duke shorts and a yellow tank top. Made me feel dirty just looking at you.”
She blinked in surprise. She was sixteen then. She remembered that day as if it were yesterday. Her eyes had stayed glued to him as he stepped out of his Impala and her mother had scolded her for staring. She could remember the way her voice had squeaked when she had greeted him. She was a goner as soon as he smiled at her. Still, that was years ago and the cutesy happy blonde she had been was long gone.
She was glad he couldn’t see her as she said her next words. “Just so you know. I don’t-expect anything from you.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” He asked and she could hear the frown in his voice.
She snorted. “You’re still you.” She said softly. “Look I’m not expecting some great romance from you. I-I know you. I don’t expect you to stick around to-” She trailed off as she felt him shift onto the bed.
“Maybe you just don’t know me the way you think you do.”
Jo bit her lip. She knew that much had to be true. Dean Winchester was an enigma. A walking contradiction. She knew he would never let anyone close enough to see the true Dean. Save for his brother.
“Maybe you’re right.” She murmured.
He slid in behind her. “Maybe.” He said softly.
She snorted. “Or maybe you’re just full of complete bullshit.”
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
She raised an eyebrow when he slid an arm around her waist, and nudged her legs open with his knee. “What are you doing?”
He kissed the side of her neck and slowly slid inside. “Startin’ round two.”
******
“You ever think about going to college?”
Jo paused in her wiping down the table in front of her. “Huh?”
Ellen shrugged at her daughter. “College. You know? I mean you graduated high school with honors Joanna. College should be a cinch for you.”
Jo sighed heavily as she glanced at her mom. “Mom-I finished high school. But I’m a hunter now. You and Dad..” She trailed off as Ellen suddenly raised her hands in a placating manner.
“I know I know.” Ellen said. “I’m just- Honey me and your daddy were hunters, but we wanted a better life for you.”
Jo tossed the rag over her shoulder. “I know mom.” She said softly. “But this is the life I chose.” She moved until she was standing in front of her mother. She hugged her. “I don’t want this to turn into a fight mom. So let’s just drop it huh?”
Ellen wrapped her arms around her daughter with a small smile. “God damn but you’re stubborn.”
Jo pulled back with a grin. “Well I am the daughter of Jo and Bill Harvelle.”
Jo’s eyes slid open. She blinked as the remnants from the dream/memory faded from her mind. She swallowed thickly as she thought of her mother and the ongoing conversation they had been having for the past few months. She hadn’t understood why her mother had wanted her to quit hunting. She sighed sadly at the oncoming ache she felt rising in her heart.
“You talk a lot in your sleep.”
She nearly jumped out of her skin as Dean spoke. She turned to face him with wide eyes. He was sitting up in her bed shirtless and barefoot with unbuttoned jeans on. A pan of peach cobbler rested on one knee and a turkey sandwich rested on the other with a beer resting between his thighs. His eyes were glued to the television as he flicked through the channels before settling on a show.
She blinked at him. Then blinked again. She opened her mouth then closed it when he looked in her questioning eyes.
“Kind of tired.” He answered, turning back to the television. “Thought I’d stay for a few more days.”
Oh.
“Okay.” She said out loud.
Her mother was still gone and Dean was still here. She didn’t know how bizarre things could go, but she was too tired to even care. She sat up and pulled the sheet tighter around her chest. She leaned against him and snagged the spoon from his hand.
“Hey!”
She ignored him and scooped up some cobbler. “Hey, Dr. Sexy, MD.” She said as she chewed the cobbler. She leaned against him. “Turn it up. I love this show.”
He snorted. “You would.” He turned the volume up.
They both ate the cobbler in silence.
“Do you think Dr. Rommona will have sex with Dr. Vasser?” He asked
“Of course.” Jo said with a shake of her head. “They’re both neurotic. They’re perfect for each other.”
He grunted in agreement.
****
It was late evening when Bobby showed back up on his way back home. He had looked at Dean with a strange look, obviously surprised to find him still at her home. His surprised expression soon turned into suspicion and she knew he had put two and two together. She knew that he knew what she and Dean did and she disappeared upstairs as soon as he turned disapproving eyes on Dean.
She was surprised that there wasn’t any shouting.
Now she was upstairs in her mom’s room. Putting away some of her things, and failing at trying to not have another crying jag.
“Jo?”
She quickly wiped her tears and turned to face Bobby who stood in the doorway. “Yes?”
“I’m gonna head out.” He said, stepping further into the room.
She smiled and met him halfway. “Thanks for coming.”
He nodded and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “Now don’t get lost on me Jo. You call me if you need anything. I’m always here to listen.”
She tightened her arms around him and bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. “Thanks Bobby.”
He nodded and pulled away. “I already told Dean I’d shoot him if he screwed with you.”
She smiled. “I’d shoot em’ myself.”
He nodded. “Good girl.” He sighed and turned to go then paused. “If you decide to continue hunting….” He trailed off. “Take a break for a while huh?”
She swallowed. “See you around Bobby.”
He nodded once and was gone.
Jo turned to survey her mother’s bedroom. Her mother’s scent permeated her senses. Everything smelled like clover and lavender. She blinked and tears fell freely from her eyes. She wiped them away, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.
Jo turned to survey her mother’s bedroom. Her mother’s scent permeated her senses. Everything smelled like clover and lavender. She blinked and tears fell freely from her eyes. She wiped them away, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.
“Jo?”
She looked up at Dean as he stood in the doorway a wary look on his face.
“You okay?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Do I look okay to you?”
Dean held up his arms in a ‘don’t shoot’ gesture. “Just asking.”
She looked away from him and scanned her mother’s room again. “What did Bobby say to you?”
Dean leaned against the doorframe. “Nothing I’m willing to repeat.”
She snorted. “Let me guess. He threatened to murder you. Then scolded you for taking advantage of me in my fragile state?”
“It was a little more colorful than that, but that about sums it up.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not fragile.”
“Never said you were.”
She was still angry. She was practically vibrating with it. She turned away from him when he stepped toward her. “A year. She was sick for a fucking year and never even told me.” She shook her head as angry tears sprung in her eyes. “I’m so pissed.” She whispered brokenly. “Why would she do that?”
Dean stayed silent, and she was grateful. She wiped her eyes before crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“Think there’s a vampire nest bought fifteen miles from here. How about we clear it out?”
She turned to look at him, surprised to see that patented Dean Winchester grin on his face. She nodded once. “Fine.” She said, moving out of her mother’s room. “I need to kill something anyway.”
TBC
Pairing: Dean/Jo
Rating: M
Spoilers: Set in Season Four Episode Criss Angel is a Douche bag
Summary: It’s a Monday afternoon when Jo found her mother’s body.
It’s a Monday afternoon when Jo found her mother’s body.
Her feet felt like lead as she moved closer toward the couch, noting her mother’s pale complexion and open eyes, staring sightlessly at the ceiling.
“Mom?”
She had just returned from helping out a hunter named Mike with a nasty haunting a few towns over. Mom had been bitching at her, telling her not to go. Ellen hated when she went out hunting.
“There are other ways to be close to your daddy.” Ellen had said, arms crossed in front of her chest.
Jo glanced over her shoulder as she shoved a pair of jeans into her duffel bag. “Not like this.” She said. She zipped up her bag and shouldered it.
“Joanna Beth-” Her mother started.
“Mom.” Jo interrupted. “I’m not a little girl anymore.” She moved until she was standing in front of Ellen. “I’ll be fine. It’s just some ghosts. I’ll be back before you know it.” She kissed Ellen’s cheek.
Ellen pulled her into a hug. “Stubborn like your damn father.” She said softly. She let her daughter go. “I guess there ain‘t no way of stopping you..” A loud horn was sounded and she sighed. “Get out of here.”
Jo grinned and hurried down the stairs.
“And take your jacket incase its cold!” Ellen called.
“Bye Mom!”
If she had known those words were the last words she had said to her mother, she would have stayed.
Before she knew it, Jo is in front of her mother, shaking her. “Mom?” She repeated, gritting her teeth in desperation when she received no response. “Mom! Mom!” She shook her again, trying hard to ignore how cold her mother’s skin feels. She quickly stood up and reached for the phone, her hands shaking as she dialed 911.
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“My mom,” She said quietly. Her voice quivered, on the verge of tears, but she fought them back. “She’s passed out-”
“Is she responsive at all?”
Jo shakes her head then answered. “No. She’s not breathing either. I need help. Please send someone.”
“Okay. Just stay calm. What’s your address?”
“2400 Henkly drive.”
“Okay. Someone should be there very shortly. I’d like you to stay on the phone with me until they arrive. Ma’am? Ma’am? Can you hear me-”
She goes deaf, staring at her mother’s lifeless body. She knew. She knew her mother was gone, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe they could help her. Maybe- Her thoughts suddenly stuttered to a halt and she blinked. She could hear sirens getting closer and it’s just a few more minutes before someone is knocking on her door.
“They’re here.” She said before clicking the phone off. She hurried over toward the door and opened it, letting the paramedics inside.
She clutched the phone to her chest as she watched them move her mother to the floor so they could work on her. They shined a light into her eyes and placed an oxygen mask over her face.
They worked on her for a full fifteen minutes before one of them shook their head.
“She’s gone man.”
She blinked. “What?” She whispered. She watched as they pack up their things and stand to approach her.
“I’m sorry miss, but your mother is….”
It’s all a blur after that.
She knew somewhere in between the paramedics leaving after telling her that her mother is dead, she vomits twice. Sometime after vomiting the coroner arrived to take her mother’s body away. She followed him to the hospital ten minutes later.
********
“Valvular Stenoisis.” The doctor explained, using big words instead of saying that her mother had heart valve disease and her heart gave out. She stared up at him blankly as he explained she’d had the diagnosis for a year and deterioration by failed treatments.
She goes home, tearing through her mother’s bedroom. Searching for answers. She’s shocked to find a bag full of medication in her sock drawer with labels of names she’d never heard of in her life. She continued her search and then she finds papers in a box buried deep into her mom’s closet. They’re lab results. EKGs and other tests. She shuffled through to the last paper, a diagnosis which she noticed, is in fact a year ago. Just four days after her birthday.
She sat on the floor for the rest of the day crying so hard it makes her stomach hurt.
**
The funeral was on Thursday.
There were only hunters in attendance. Her mother had already been buried earlier that day and they had all gathered at her house after the service. She sat on the living room couch in her black dress, her arms crossed in front of her chest. She watched as most of the hunters milled about, talking quietly and eating the food two of the hunter’s wives had helped prepare.
They had done this at her dad’s funeral. She knew that she should be probably walking around, thanking everyone for attending like her mom had done, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t move from her spot and she swore if one more person came up to her to say ‘sorry for your loss’ , she was going to snap.
“You sure you aren’t hungry honey?”
She glanced up at the woman holding a plate of what looked like a casserole. She shook her head. “No thank you.”
“Let the girl be Shelia.” One of the hunters, Jim was his name, said as he came up to them, a glass of whiskey in his hand.
“I’m just trying to see if she’s hungry Jim.” Shelia said, an annoyed smile on her face.
“You mom was a good woman.” Jim continued. “Bill was a lucky son of a bitch to have a lady like her.”
Jo blinked up at him then at his wife who was smiling and nodding. She sighed heavily and glanced back down at her hands.
“To Ellen and Bill!” Jim cheered. “Best two people to ever walk this fucked up earth!”
“Here here!” Every agreed, holding up their drink.
She doesn’t think of what she does next, but the moment it happened, sharp pain vibrates throughout her hand and Jim is lying flat on his back.
The room falls silent from shock before Jim began to laugh uproariously along with everyone else.
“Just like your mama!” Someone shouted.
She turned to go before anyone could see the tears start to gather in her eyes.
She continued to sit in the bathroom for the rest of the day; ignoring Bobby’s quiet urgings that she come out. She doesn’t come out until nightfall when everyone is gone. She slowly made her way down the stairs, pausing as she heard someone moving about in the kitchen. Bobby must’ve stayed to make sure she was alright and she rolled her eyes to the high heavens. She didn’t need anyone taking care of her.
She moved toward the kitchen. “Bobby?” She called. “You didn’t have to-” She trailed off as she pushed the door open, her eyes widening slightly as she realized it was not Bobby in her kitchen but- “Dean?” She whispered.
Dean looked up from the chocolate cake he was busy cutting into. “Jo,” He greeted like it’s the most normal thing in the world for him to be standing in her kitchen eating chocolate cake. “Bobby left a while ago.” He held up a bottle of cheap whiskey. “Drink?”
She blinked. Opened and closed her mouth many times before shaking her head.
“That’s crap.” She said, walking over toward the shelf next to the sink. “My mom keeps the good stuff in here.” She pulled out a bottle of Jim Beam and four shot glasses.
*****
This should be bizarre to her. She took a swallow of her first shot with a sigh as it burned its way down her throat. She glanced up at dean, watching as he downed his own shot before reaching for his second glass and downing his second one.
The last time she had seen him, she had dug a bullet out of his shoulder after a demon possessed Sam had shot him. He said he would call her and she knew he wouldn’t. Then she heard he was dead and she had cried all week after finding out, lying to her mom about having a bad period. Then she heard he was alive again, how she would never know, but here he was now, in her kitchen sharing a bottle with her.
“So,” She started softly. She paused to take another shot. She reached for the bottle and poured herself some more. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to pay my respects of course.” He answered with a nod. He lifted glass toward his lips and downs the drink. He slammed it on the table “I’m s-”
“Don’t.” She interrupted him, her voice cold. “I don’t want to hear that word sorry. I’ve been hearing it all damn day.” She looked away from him as she reached for her second glass. She swallowed it down and slammed it down onto the table. She reached for the bottle again and poured herself some more. “How’s Sam?” She asked, glancing up. She’s surprised at the shadowed expression that crosses his face.
He doesn’t answer her, instead goes and cuts himself another piece of cake.
Somewhere around the seventh shot she’s only a little dizzy. She’s always been a good drinker. She’s always been able to handle her liquor. She thinks she got that from her dad. She eyed Dean, unsurprised to see him sitting steady and focused, his hand barely trembling as he poured himself another shot. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Did Bobby tell you to baby-sit me?”
Dean snorted as he shook his head. “No. I saw all this food and decided to stay.”
“Figures.” She said. She finished off her eighth shot “Whoa.” She whispered as the world tilted to the side and back again. She shakes her head with a laugh.
“You alright?” Dean asked with a smile.
She looked up at him. “Uh huh.” She reached for the bottle and poured herself another drink. “Any interesting hunt’s lately?” She asked. She purposely doesn’t bring up the being dead thing, because it seemed like the wrong time.
“Not particularly.” He lied, playing with a hang nail on his thumb. “Heard you was hunting now.” He shoved a piece of cake into his mouth as he glanced at her with a small smirk.
Her fingers played with the shot glass as she smiled at him. “The rumors are true. Much to the displeasure of my-” She trailed off from the pain she suddenly feels at the mere thought of her mother. She sighed shakily. “She hated that I was hunting. I didn’t get it. I mean, both she and my dad were hunters. What did she think I was gonna do? Take up knitting?”
Dean took another shot before responding. “Maybe she wanted a normal life for you.”
She snorted. “Normal? Normal waved bye bye when my father got killed by a Hell spawn.” She took another shot and slammed the glass down hard.
Dean looked at her uncomfortably. “Jo-”
“I love hunting as much as I love breathing.” She said quietly. She looked down at her hands as she felt tears start to fill her eyes. “She had been bugging me for days not to go out on that hunt. I didn’t understand why she was bitching at me so much. I can’t help but to keep thinking that if I had stayed then maybe she wouldn’t have-maybe I could’ve-I could’ve-” She trailed off not bothering to finish because the thoughts sound stupid in her own head. She could feel his eyes watching her and she wiped her tears away, flushing from embarrassment.
Dean doesn’t bother to offer her any words of comfort. She’s okay with that. She wasn’t really in the mood for it anyway. Plus, she’s pretty sure if he tried she would punch him. Besides, there’s a strength in his silence and that was comfort enough.
She poured another shot and quickly downed that one. She could barely taste the liquor anymore.
He shoved another piece of cake into his mouth while he poured himself another shot. “Bobby told me you put a fist to Jim Vernlly.”
Her eyes widened and she glanced down at her right hand. Her knuckles were still slightly swollen. “Oh yeah.” She giggled. “I forgot all about that.” She giggled again and she knew she was really really drunk because she never giggles. “He was so drunk and annoying.”
Dean nodded. “He’s always annoying and drunk. Nobody likes that guy.” He cut himself another piece of cake.
“His wife made that cake.” She said.
He shoved the piece into his mouth. “God bless her.” He said, mouth full.
Jo smiled as she watched him. She knew she’s over her limit because the one Dean is slowly turning into two Deans. She blinked at him as he said something she couldn’t understand. “Huh?”
He bit into more cake. “I asked if she made the rest of the baked goods?”
She placed her cheek in her hand as she leaned against the table. “I think she made the cherry pie and the peach cobbler but that’s it.” she watched amused as his eyes go wide with pleasure from the mere mention of those tasty treats. She could feel the room start to spin and tilt uncontrollably. She blinked up at Dean, her vision swimming in front of her. “Hey Dean?”
“Hmm?” He answered, concentrating on finishing off the chocolate cake.
“I’m trashed.” She said and her head falls forward, hitting the table.
*****
She woke up in Dean’s arms as he slowly carried her up the stairs toward her bedroom. She sighed and buried her face in between the side of his neck and shoulder. She inhaled his scent with a happy sigh.
“Are you sniffing me?” He muttered.
“Sure am.” She answered.
Dean sighed and paused in the hallway. “Room?” He asked.
She pointed to the first door on the left.
He gently kicked her door opened and lied her gently onto her bed. He glanced around her room with a slight frown. “Not quite what I expected.”
She stretched back against the pillows as she watched him through lowered lids. “What did you expect? Ponies and Rainbows? Or did you forget that I’m a grown woman?”
He smirked down at her. His expression amused. “No.” He answered. “No I didn’t forget.” He leaned down to slip her shoes off.
She let him. “First time I get you alone in my bedroom and all you’re doing is tucking me in.” She complained. “Christ this sucks.” She turned away from him and buried her face into her pillows. She drifted off into a dreamless sleep swearing she heard him mutter the words ‘I agree’ before she was completely unconscious.
***
She’s up the next morning with a Texas sized headache and the taste of a foot in her mouth. She groaned to herself and turned to glance at the time, surprised to see a glass filled with a liquid she couldn’t identify and two yellow pills sitting beside said glass.
“Should take that before it spoils.” A gruff voice advised.
She glanced up, shocked to see Dean sitting on the chair in the far corner, leafing through a magazine. “You’re still here.” She said softly. It hadn’t been a dream then.
He glanced up at her. “Of course I am.” He said as if he being here was a natural normal occurrence. He nodded toward the glass and the pills. “Better get going on taking that stuff. It has a quick expiration date.”
She picks up the pills and the glass. “What is it?”
He gives her a small smirk. “The yellow pills are for the headache. The other stuff…you don’t want to know.”
She shrugged and popped the pills into her mouth. She lifted the drink toward her lips and drank the strange concoction down. It tastes sweet, but kind of slimy and fishy. She nearly gags but forced it down. She placed the now empty glass back onto the table.
“Fuck that’s gross!” She said and looked up at Dean’s chuckle. She’s surprised to see him watching her with something close to being impressed. She’s even more surprised when the headache instantly fades and the sea of nausea she feels is instantly gone. She felt almost brand new.
“What was that stuff?” She asked.
He glanced back down at his magazine. “Just your a famous Dean Winchester hangover helper. I repeat, you don’t want to know what was in that stuff.”
“Well thanks.” She said and glanced around her room, sober and lost for words. All she wanted to do is watch him because no matter how far he goes away; no matter how long he stays out of her life, the minute she’s in the same room as he is, those old feelings come back fast and hard. She wanted to know why he was still here. Why he wasn’t in a hurry to leave like he always is? Where the hell was Sam?
She started with the last one. “Where’s Sam?”
The same shadowed expression crosses his features and this time she’s sure she sees something very close to pain there now.
“Haven’t a clue.” He answered her shortly.
She shifted uncomfortably at his cold tone. “Did you guys have a fight or something?”
His expression darkened even more, but he doesn’t answer her just continued to leaf through the magazine; clearly telling her he didn’t want to talk about it.
“Gonna go take a shower.” She said quietly.
*********
She tilted her head back as the hot water hit her face.
It’s been three days since her mother’s death.
Right now her mom would be banging on the door, bitching about not using all of the hot water. She laughed to herself as she imagined just that happening. She closed her eyes tightly and could hear her mother banging loudly on the door, yelling her full name so loud the neighbors could probably hear.
She’s startled when the door suddenly swung open and banged against the wall.
“Jo!” Dean barks. “How the hell do you work your oven?”
She stood there under the spray of he water, hand to her chest. She didn’t answer, just bursts into tears. By the time Dean pulled the curtain back, her sobbing was nearly uncontrollable.
“Jo?”
She sobbed harder, not caring for the fact that he was seeing her naked, crying like a fool.
Dean sighed and reached over to switch the shower off, reaching for a towel as he did. “Come on.” He said, wrapping the towel securely around her body. He pulled her out of the tub and reached for another towel on their way out of the bathroom.
She was down to sniffles as he sat her on her bed and went to work on drying her hair, expertly scrubbing back and forth. He moved toward the back of her hair and gently rubbed. She was surprised by how sure he seemed. Like he was used to taking care of people this way. He probably was she realized.
She vaguely remembered her mother and father having a conversation about Dean’s family. How John would leave his boys alone for days sometimes weeks at a time to go on a hunt. Dean was always the one left to take care of Sam. He had probably been doing it his whole life. She looked up at him through her tears, surprised at the extreme concentration he had going on. She reached up to wipe her tears, but more keep coming.
“There you go.” He said, leaning down so that he was eye level with her. He wiped her tears away with the damp towel and handed it to her. “You’ve turned into a regular old snot monster.”
She huffed out a laugh and he grinned at her.
“Thanks.” She said quietly.
“No problem.”
She glanced down, flushing from embarrassment. She glanced back up ad her eyes widened in surprise at the look he was giving her. She had seen that look many a time while working at the road house. Even now at the bar she works in.
He wanted her.
“Dean?” She whispered softly.
It was only moments later before they were kissing. They both sighed as her mouth opened and his tongue slid up against hers, both them battling for the upper hand. She wrapped her hands around his face as the kiss deepened. He broke the kiss first and she tilted her head back as he kissed her neck. His hands untied the towel she wore and he gently pushed her back against the mattress.
She leaned onto her elbows, watching him watch her. She was wet already and she opened her legs to show him. She flushed at the way his eyes darkened.
Dean lifted the t-shirt over his head and tossed it onto the floor, kicking his shoes off as he did. He unbuttoned his jeans and slid them down. He kicked them off along with his socks.
Jo licked her lips as her eyes scanned him from top to bottom. Muscled chest, broad strong shoulders and muscled thighs. Her eyes paused on his hardened length between his legs. She felt herself grow even more wet as he reached down and stroked himself. She crooked a finger at him.
He was in her arms a moment later, kissing her wildly. She kissed back, just as wildly, sucking his tongue deep into her mouth. She could feel his hardness against her stomach and she moaned.
“Jesus Jo!” Dean exclaimed as he pulled away from her mouth. He grinned at her. “Who the hell taught you that?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
He grinned and lowered his head.
“Oh Fuck!” She moaned as his lips wrapped around the rosy tip of her left breast into his mouth and sucked hard. His right hand moved to massage the other, squeezing and pinching in a way that drove her wild.
She lifted her head as his lips suddenly moved between her breasts for a small kiss. She watched as his lips moved lower down her body, pausing to dip his tongue into her navel.
She laughed and he grinned up at her. She lifted herself onto her elbows, watching through lowered lids as he kissed her abdomen and lifted her right thigh, placing it over his shoulder. He leaned forward and she fell back against the mattress as his mouth was suddenly there.
Her hips canted as he suddenly sucked on her clit and she knew he’d be good at this. He was literally devouring her, groaning the same exact way that he had when he was eating that chocolate cake. Jo could literally feel him drawing the wetness from her and she knew she should feel embarrassed by the amount of wetness she felt being drawn from her, but she wasn’t.
The pressure and pleasure was too much for her. She placed her hands on his head, pushing his mouth harder against her.
“Oh, god,” she whispered. “Dean-” she trailed off and whimpered as she felt the pressure building in her stomach and move down. Her eyes widened and she shuddered as she came. Her legs clamped over his head as he continued to lick her and she keened in the most embarrassing way. “No.” She said weakly.
Dean ignored her and continued to poke at her with his tongue. Once then twice.
Jo laughed and gathered her energy to scramble backward on the bed. Dean followed her and she gasped as his lips were on her again. “No!” She groaned weakly pushing his head away. “Too much.”
Dean grinned and pulled away. He wiped his mouth with the back of his head and crawled up her body. He gave her a toothy grin.
“Good huh?”
She rolled her eyes at him, a small smile coming onto her face. Instead of answering, she pulled him down for a deep kiss. She could feel his hardness brush against her thigh. She pulled away from his mouth.
“Condoms?” He breathed, but she shook her head.
“No.” She said softly. “We don’t need one. I-I’m on the pill.” She knew it was stupid, but she had wanted this for years. She has had hundreds of fantasies about this. She wanted to feel all of him.
Dean kissed her once. “You sure?” He asked and she nodded.
She felt him push at her opening and they both groaned as he easily slid inside.
Everything seemed to stop.
She rested her hands onto his shoulders as he closed his eyes tightly. Her hands caressed down his back and up again. “Dean?” she whispered.
“Just…just give me a minute.” He said, his voice strained. “Jesus Jo you’re tight.”
She flushed from the statement and smirked up at him. “Been quite a while for you huh?”
He opened his eyes and stared down at her, his eyes dark from lust. “You have no idea.” He answered and moved his hips once.
Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh yeah.” She breathed as she felt the suddenly jolt of pleasure as he moved. She slid her hands down, just above his ass and lifted her hips, urging him on. “Come on Dean.” She whispered. “Fuck me already.”
“Bossy.” He said, kissing the side of her neck as he moved his hips. “Fuck.” He hissed.
She clutched his ass in her hands and squeezed. “I sure wish you would already.”
*******
She turned onto her side, putting her back to him. She could feel him sticky inside her and she sighed, knowing she was going to need another shower. She closed her eyes as she placed her arms underneath her pillow, her thoughts turning. This has probably turned out to be the saddest strangest week of her life. She shook her head and laughed out loud.
“What is it?” Dean asked his voice suspicious. “Sex with me is funny?
She laughed harder this time. Shaking her hand as he leaned over her. “No. It’s just- Everything is so…” She trailed off again and swallowed. “You have no clue how long I’ve thought about this. Ever since the first time I saw you.” She didn’t really care if she sounded pathetic. “You probably don’t even remember the first time you saw me.”
Dean was quiet for a long moment and she thought maybe he had fallen asleep. “October of 2001. You had on these daisy duke shorts and a yellow tank top. Made me feel dirty just looking at you.”
She blinked in surprise. She was sixteen then. She remembered that day as if it were yesterday. Her eyes had stayed glued to him as he stepped out of his Impala and her mother had scolded her for staring. She could remember the way her voice had squeaked when she had greeted him. She was a goner as soon as he smiled at her. Still, that was years ago and the cutesy happy blonde she had been was long gone.
She was glad he couldn’t see her as she said her next words. “Just so you know. I don’t-expect anything from you.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” He asked and she could hear the frown in his voice.
She snorted. “You’re still you.” She said softly. “Look I’m not expecting some great romance from you. I-I know you. I don’t expect you to stick around to-” She trailed off as she felt him shift onto the bed.
“Maybe you just don’t know me the way you think you do.”
Jo bit her lip. She knew that much had to be true. Dean Winchester was an enigma. A walking contradiction. She knew he would never let anyone close enough to see the true Dean. Save for his brother.
“Maybe you’re right.” She murmured.
He slid in behind her. “Maybe.” He said softly.
She snorted. “Or maybe you’re just full of complete bullshit.”
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
She raised an eyebrow when he slid an arm around her waist, and nudged her legs open with his knee. “What are you doing?”
He kissed the side of her neck and slowly slid inside. “Startin’ round two.”
******
“You ever think about going to college?”
Jo paused in her wiping down the table in front of her. “Huh?”
Ellen shrugged at her daughter. “College. You know? I mean you graduated high school with honors Joanna. College should be a cinch for you.”
Jo sighed heavily as she glanced at her mom. “Mom-I finished high school. But I’m a hunter now. You and Dad..” She trailed off as Ellen suddenly raised her hands in a placating manner.
“I know I know.” Ellen said. “I’m just- Honey me and your daddy were hunters, but we wanted a better life for you.”
Jo tossed the rag over her shoulder. “I know mom.” She said softly. “But this is the life I chose.” She moved until she was standing in front of her mother. She hugged her. “I don’t want this to turn into a fight mom. So let’s just drop it huh?”
Ellen wrapped her arms around her daughter with a small smile. “God damn but you’re stubborn.”
Jo pulled back with a grin. “Well I am the daughter of Jo and Bill Harvelle.”
Jo’s eyes slid open. She blinked as the remnants from the dream/memory faded from her mind. She swallowed thickly as she thought of her mother and the ongoing conversation they had been having for the past few months. She hadn’t understood why her mother had wanted her to quit hunting. She sighed sadly at the oncoming ache she felt rising in her heart.
“You talk a lot in your sleep.”
She nearly jumped out of her skin as Dean spoke. She turned to face him with wide eyes. He was sitting up in her bed shirtless and barefoot with unbuttoned jeans on. A pan of peach cobbler rested on one knee and a turkey sandwich rested on the other with a beer resting between his thighs. His eyes were glued to the television as he flicked through the channels before settling on a show.
She blinked at him. Then blinked again. She opened her mouth then closed it when he looked in her questioning eyes.
“Kind of tired.” He answered, turning back to the television. “Thought I’d stay for a few more days.”
Oh.
“Okay.” She said out loud.
Her mother was still gone and Dean was still here. She didn’t know how bizarre things could go, but she was too tired to even care. She sat up and pulled the sheet tighter around her chest. She leaned against him and snagged the spoon from his hand.
“Hey!”
She ignored him and scooped up some cobbler. “Hey, Dr. Sexy, MD.” She said as she chewed the cobbler. She leaned against him. “Turn it up. I love this show.”
He snorted. “You would.” He turned the volume up.
They both ate the cobbler in silence.
“Do you think Dr. Rommona will have sex with Dr. Vasser?” He asked
“Of course.” Jo said with a shake of her head. “They’re both neurotic. They’re perfect for each other.”
He grunted in agreement.
****
It was late evening when Bobby showed back up on his way back home. He had looked at Dean with a strange look, obviously surprised to find him still at her home. His surprised expression soon turned into suspicion and she knew he had put two and two together. She knew that he knew what she and Dean did and she disappeared upstairs as soon as he turned disapproving eyes on Dean.
She was surprised that there wasn’t any shouting.
Now she was upstairs in her mom’s room. Putting away some of her things, and failing at trying to not have another crying jag.
“Jo?”
She quickly wiped her tears and turned to face Bobby who stood in the doorway. “Yes?”
“I’m gonna head out.” He said, stepping further into the room.
She smiled and met him halfway. “Thanks for coming.”
He nodded and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “Now don’t get lost on me Jo. You call me if you need anything. I’m always here to listen.”
She tightened her arms around him and bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. “Thanks Bobby.”
He nodded and pulled away. “I already told Dean I’d shoot him if he screwed with you.”
She smiled. “I’d shoot em’ myself.”
He nodded. “Good girl.” He sighed and turned to go then paused. “If you decide to continue hunting….” He trailed off. “Take a break for a while huh?”
She swallowed. “See you around Bobby.”
He nodded once and was gone.
Jo turned to survey her mother’s bedroom. Her mother’s scent permeated her senses. Everything smelled like clover and lavender. She blinked and tears fell freely from her eyes. She wiped them away, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.
Jo turned to survey her mother’s bedroom. Her mother’s scent permeated her senses. Everything smelled like clover and lavender. She blinked and tears fell freely from her eyes. She wiped them away, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.
“Jo?”
She looked up at Dean as he stood in the doorway a wary look on his face.
“You okay?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Do I look okay to you?”
Dean held up his arms in a ‘don’t shoot’ gesture. “Just asking.”
She looked away from him and scanned her mother’s room again. “What did Bobby say to you?”
Dean leaned against the doorframe. “Nothing I’m willing to repeat.”
She snorted. “Let me guess. He threatened to murder you. Then scolded you for taking advantage of me in my fragile state?”
“It was a little more colorful than that, but that about sums it up.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not fragile.”
“Never said you were.”
She was still angry. She was practically vibrating with it. She turned away from him when he stepped toward her. “A year. She was sick for a fucking year and never even told me.” She shook her head as angry tears sprung in her eyes. “I’m so pissed.” She whispered brokenly. “Why would she do that?”
Dean stayed silent, and she was grateful. She wiped her eyes before crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“Think there’s a vampire nest bought fifteen miles from here. How about we clear it out?”
She turned to look at him, surprised to see that patented Dean Winchester grin on his face. She nodded once. “Fine.” She said, moving out of her mother’s room. “I need to kill something anyway.”
TBC