High School Sweethearts and Second Chances ch. 3

[hezio2]

A/n: My apologies to all die hard Buffy fans. I thought Oz and Willow hooked up at the end of season 1. I recently found out that they didn’t until after the Halloween episode in season 2. However, poetic license and the fact that I always liked them means I get to give them more time together. So, please go along with it. J Also, I’m trying to be true to SPN so the Winchester boys don’t know about vampires until Dead Man’s Blood. Hopefully I will be able to include some more of the actual season 2 in the next chapter. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Joyce has just gone to bed leaving Dean and Buffy alone in the kitchen.

Dean cleared their plates and rinsed them in the sink. “You don’t have to do that, Dean, I can…”

Dean turned to her, “What was the deal with that guy at the Bronze? He your boyfriend? I mean, did it work? Was he jealous?”

Buffy just stared at him for a minute not quite knowing what to say. Dean’s questions angered her. At the same time, she realized he probably had the right to the answers. “That guy was Angel. And yes, last spring, I thought that maybe he and I, well, that maybe we were boyfriend and girlfriend. But,” she sighed, “I hardly heard from him all summer and then not at all for like the last month.” She paused and looked at her empty glass. “Then tonight, he told me he didn’t want to be with me at all. So,” Buffy looked up at him and waited until he returned her gaze. “You hardly know me. I wouldn’t use somebody like that. I really did want to dance with you. That’s why I left. You took off so fast, I…”

“I was pissed,” Dean interrupted with a small laugh.

“Well, so was I. I was so mad I had to get out of there,” Buffy looked up at him.

“Yeah, me, too. I wanted to punch something.”

“So… it’s almost a good thing those guys jumped me. We both got to work out our anger on someone else.” Dean laughed a little. She smiled and took her glass to the sink and stood next to him.

“Yeah, and I got to walk you home,” Dean nudged her with his arm. “But can I ask you something else? Why didn’t your mom call the cops? Her baby girl gets jumped by ‘thugs’ and she doesn‘t call the cops?”

Buffy shrugged. She didn’t really have a good answer to that. “I don’t know. Maybe she was so concerned about you that she didn’t think of it.” She looked up at him.

“She didn’t have to get so worried. I told her I was fine,” He looked down at her. “I’m sorry about what I said before. You’re right. I really don’t know you.” He pushed off the counter. He took her hand and led her through her house to the steps. “You should probably go up to bed before your mom comes down to check on you.” He turned to her, about to make his move, when she surprised him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks for saving me, Dean,” she whispered with a smile and ran past him up the steps. Leaving Dean staring after her.

Dean woke early, surprised that the couch really was very comfortable. He folded the blanket and the sheets then walked into the bathroom and tried to make himself look presentable. He went into the kitchen and began to open cupboards. After finding coffee, filters, and some mugs he went about making coffee. He washed and dried the dishes from last night and debated about walking towards home when Joyce entered the kitchen. “Good Morning! Gosh that coffee smells delicious. Thank you, Dean.” Her chipper attitude surprised Dean. His dad was normally a total grouch until his second cup of coffee.

“No problem,” he muttered with a small smile.

“That was some storm, wasn’t it. I wonder if any branches came down,” she peeked through the window. “Well, what would you like for breakfast?”

“Nothing, ma’am, I’m fine. I’ll just wait for my dad,” Dean took a sip of the coffee.

Joyce looked at him and smiled. She had just figured him out. Just like last night, he wouldn’t ask for anything but he would take something once it was there. “Well, let’s see,” she said to herself as she opened the fridge. She grabbed the eggs and milk. “I think I’m in the mood for waffles. Do you like waffles?” She didn’t wait for an answer but, busied herself gathering the other ingredients and getting out the waffle iron. “So Dean, why did you and your family move to Sunnydale?”

“Um, my dad heard there was a lot of work here.” At least that wasn’t a lie. But, Dean was on his guard now. Time alone with a parent meant question and answer time. He hated having to keep track of what he said to parents. Other teens were too self involved to pay close attention to what he said. Parents on the other hand, always seemed to be able to trip him up. Maybe, he thought, if he turned the tables, “Have you and Buffy always lived in Sunnydale?”

“No, actually we moved here just over a year ago. We kind of needed a fresh start after the divorce and Sunnydale seemed like a nice quiet place.” Dean swallowed a laugh at her naïveté. Joyce set three plates down at the table and smiled when Dean didn’t push it away.

Buffy woke up with a smile from ear to ear. She smelled something delicious wafting up from the kitchen and bounded to her door only to stop suddenly when she remembered Dean was in her house. She turned and looked in the mirror only to shriek at what she saw there. Okay, no way was she going anywhere looking like this. She quickly chose a cute outfit, a tank that had Princess written across the chest and some short shorts. Then she brushed her hair and put it in a ponytail.

Fishing again Joyce asked, “What does your mom think of all the moving around?”

“Uh, my mom died in a fire when I was a kid,” Dean was suddenly very interested in the juice he was drinking.

Joyce looked physically ill. “Oh, Dean, I am so sorry. I….”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know,” he interrupted with the smallest of smiles on his face. “It was a long time ago. I was four. It’s just me, my dad and Sammy -- Sam.” Just then Buffy walked into the kitchen saving Joyce from further embarrassment. Dean looked at her tank top and his smile couldn‘t get any bigger. “Good morning, Princess.”

“Mmm, good morning, Dean. Good morning, Mother. What smells so yummy?” Buffy sat down across from Dean.

“Dean made coffee and I’m making waffles,” Joyce replied as she put a couple of said waffles on their plates. She watched with secret joy as Dean dug in. Then she looked at the counter and saw she had some eggs left. “Would you guys like eggs, too?”

“Mmm, yes!” Buffy announced before Dean could say anything. “Scrambled, please.”

“Coming up,” Joyce nearly jumped out her seat.

“Mrs. Summers, these are the best waffles I’ve ever had,” Dean said in all honesty. “I thought ‘homemade’ came frozen in a box.”

Buffy laughed, “During the week it’s like that around here, too. My mom channels Martha Stewart on the weekends.”

“Very funny, Buffy,” Joyce faked a scowl at her daughter. “I’m not around much during the week to cook for you, so yes, I try to make up for it on the weekends.” Before she could say anything else the doorbell rang. Knowing it must be his dad, Dean rose but Joyce put her hand on his arm, “Finish eating. I’ll get it.”

Joyce opened the door and couldn’t speak for a second as she looked at John. “Hi, I’m John Winchester, Dean’s father. Uh, this is Sam.”

“Hi, I’m Joyce Summers, please come in,” and she moved aside to let them in. “Dean and Buffy are finishing breakfast in the kitchen.”

Sam nudged his father and mouthed, “Buffy?” John replied with a shrug and followed Joyce.

“I am so grateful to Dean. I hate to think what would have happened to Buffy if he hadn’t been there,” Joyce led the other Winchesters into the kitchen.

Dean stood when his dad and Sam entered the room. “Hi, dad, Sam, this is Buffy.” John nodded to her. “Sammy, come here and finish this for me. Mrs. Summers makes the best waffles, like ever.”

Sam looked up at his dad who nudged him forward with his arm. Sam went and sat in the seat Dean vacated and finished the waffle and eggs on the plate. John turned to Buffy, “So, uh, Buffy, are you okay? No permanent damage from last night’s run in?”

Buffy smiled at him, “I’m all good.” Turning to Dean, “Thanks to Dean.”

“Yes, your son is our hero,” Joyce added as she poured John a cup of coffee and handed it to him.

Dean looked down and rubbed the back of his neck. Sam nearly choked on his bite of egg. “I just did what anyone else would do.” He could feel John’s heavy gaze.

“What’s important is that every one is okay. Thanks for looking out for Dean last night.” John put down his coffee untouched and Sam got up from his chair. “It was nice to meet you, both, but we really have to get going. We have a lot to do today.” The three Winchesters were making their way out. Joyce nearly had to rush to get to the door ahead of them.

Buffy grabbed Dean’s hand. “I’ll see you later at Willow’s, right?” Dean looked at her questioningly. “Computer tutoring?” She offered, hoping to jog his memory.

Dean knew his dad was listening and let go of her hand before John would turn around, “Oh, uh, I forgot all about it. I’m not going to make it. Could you call her for me and apologize. I’m real sorry.”

Buffy was unsure of what to make of Dean’s actions but replied, “Yeah, of course, no prob.”

“Shotgun!” Sam yelled as he bounded down the porch steps. Dean ran after him as John slowly followed.

Joyce put her arm around Buffy and bent her neck to rest on her head on her daughter’s. “That has got to be the best looking family I have ever seen.” She said with an appreciative sigh.

“Oh, yeah,” Buffy agreed as she watch Dean climb into the backseat.

John looked at Dean in the rearview mirror. “So, tell me, what were you up against last night?”

“Dad, I have no idea what they were. They had fangs and really messed up faces. They were wicked strong, but they reacted to the Holy water and my silver knife.” Dean was trying to remember anything he thought would help his dad identify these “things.”

Sam giggled, “Fangs? What were they vampires?”

Dean leaned forward and smacked Sam upside his head. “No, Sammy. I know there’s no such thing as vampires. But they did have teeth like fangs!”

Sam mumbled an “ow” as John looked at Dean in the mirror again. He never told his sons about vampires. He didn’t think there had been a need, he was sure they were nearly extinct. He thought Daniel Elkins had taken care of that. “Dean, don’t hit your brother,” he said without much force behind it. “Can you remember anything else?”

“No, sir,” Dean didn’t think his dad wanted to know how hot Buffy looked when she was kicking ass.

Sam turned to Dean, “What did Buffy think they were?” He wasn’t teasing. He couldn’t imagine seeing something like Dean described.

Dean caught his father looking at him in the mirror. “I don’t know. We were both busy fighting and getting the heck out of there.” He realized that he and Buffy never really talked about what the ‘thugs’ looked like.

“You ready to work?” John asked.

“Yes, sir.” Both boys answered.

“Good, you’re going to the ropes course at the state forest.”

The boys looked at each other with mild shock. The ropes course was usually pretty easy. “The ropes course, dad?” Sam asked knowing that his dad would know what he meant.

“Yeah, well, the storm changed my original plans and your brother happened to stumble upon something we need to research, so training will be cut short today. We’ve got book work to do.”

Dean slouched in his seat. He’d much rather train hard than read those musty books. Sam, however, smiled.

Buffy sat on her bed and dialed Willow’s number. She couldn’t wait to tell her best friend all about Dean.

“Buffy, what happened last night? You and Dean were all with the flirting and the smiles and the close dancing and then jerk face Angel shows up and then Dean storms off looking really mad and then you storm out looking all angry Buffy leaving Angel just standing there looking like the jerk that he is. So what happened? Where did you go?”

Buffy waited for the Willow speak to run its course and for her friend to take a breath. “Well, yes, Dean and I were making with the flirting when jerk face decided to become possessive. Where does he get off? I mean he tells me he doesn’t want me and then gets all mad when I’m with someone else.”

Willow smiled, “Well, Angel obviously didn’t mean it, I guess. He must still have feelings for you, Buffy.”

Buffy sighed. Willow might be right, but what did it matter? If Angel said he didn’t want to be with her, then he shouldn’t act all jealous when she was with someone else. He can’t have it both ways. “I don’t know what to think. He always confused me with his mysterious ‘warnings’. And he was never up front with how he felt about me. He wouldn’t even tell me where he was for the last month or why he didn’t at least call me.”

“Well, Buffy, if it makes you feel any better. Dean looked really mad when Angel cut in and he did leave like right away,” Willow hoped that would cheer up her friend.

Buffy smiled and could hardly contain herself as she told Willow about Dean “saving” her from the vamps and then sleeping over.

“Really?” Willow squealed a couple of times while Buffy told her the details. But when Buffy finished, Willow asked, “So, he’s okay with you being the Slayer? ‘Cuz, well, you know.”

“He doesn’t know.”

“What?! How doesn’t he know? He saw the vampires right? He saw you stake them, right?”

“Actually, he never saw me stake one. He was busy kicking ass. I only staked one when Dean wasn’t looking. He assumed I took some self defense classes, which I didn’t deny. So, he thinks I’m just a regular, normal girl who happened to take tai kwon do.”

“What did he think the vampires were?” Willow couldn’t believe Dean wouldn’t have at least noticed that these guys looked weird.

Buffy thought about it for a second, “Ya know, we didn’t talk about it. I mean when we were fighting he said some crack about how ugly they were but, other than that… he didn’t mention it.” Now that Buffy thought about it, she did think it weird that Dean didn’t mention the fangs or the super vampire strength. “You think that maybe Dean was so into the fighting that he didn’t notice?” Buffy hoped, but did not really believe her own hypothesis.

“I don’t know, Buffy. I guess it’s possible.” Willow didn’t believe it either. In her sly voice she asked, “did anything happen when he slept over?”

Buffy flopped back on her bed and thought about her night with Dean. “Major sparkage. We’re talking I think he likes me almost as much as I like him.”

Willow giggled, “Really?”

“Yeah. I mean he had me clear up the whole Angel thing, but even before that, I swear he was going to kiss me. And when he took his shirt off, ohmigod, I thought I was gonna die. Willow, he is so hot.”

“So? Did you kiss him?”

“Well, I wanted to. But after the Angel conversation I wanted to play it safe. Take things slow. So I kissed him on the cheek when we said ‘good night’.” Buffy sighed when she remember how he looked when he walked her to the stairs. “Oh, and he isn’t coming over for tutoring today. He’s doing something with his dad.”

Willow sighed. She had made up little lessons to teach Dean the programming basics. “Well, I guess that leaves my afternoon open. What do you want to do?”

“Don’t know. But I better meet with Giles and tell him I finally ran into some vamps.”

“I guess the Slayer retirement is over.” Willow sighed. “Xander did jinx it.”

Buffy sighed, “Don’t blame Xander. Sunnydale is the hellmouth. Trouble was bound to come back to town eventually. Want to go with me to meet with Giles?”

“Sure, I’ll be right over.”

Buffy watched as Giles wiped his glasses for the millionth time. Are they always that dirty or is he rubbing a scratch that he thinks is dirt? Why doesn’t he get new ones she wondered. “There were five of them, you say?” Giles didn’t really think the number meant anything. He was concerned that Dean Winchester had been there.

“Yes, Giles, five. But, like I said, Dean and I handled them. All except the one.”

“Yes. Explain again why you didn’t slay the last one.”

Buffy let out an exasperated sigh. Why couldn’t Giles understand? “I didn’t stake the last one because I didn’t want Dean to see. So far he thinks I’m ‘normal girl’ and I want to keep it that way.” Willow looked at her friend with understanding on her face. She didn’t think it would work, but Buffy had always wanted to be normal.

It was Giles’ turn for the exasperated sigh. “But you let this desire to be ‘normal girl’ interfere with your duty as a Slayer. Now that vampire is out there and able to sire other vampires. When will you get it through your head that you are not like other girls.” He saw her misery on her face, but he had his duty, also.

Buffy felt her frustration begin to rise. “Giles,” she sighed almost in tears. “It’s just one vampire. You always tell me to keep this Slayer business a secret and I did. I just don’t want Dean to find out. I like him. He’s a normal guy. He’s not a vampire. And I think he likes me. Can’t you please understand? I’ll patrol extra tonight. I will. And I’ll find that vamp and stake the living daylights out of him.”

“Very well,” was all Giles could respond. It wasn’t his place to tell Buffy the truth about Dean and what his family did. But he didn’t have to like the hunter putting his Slayer in danger. So far he had been able to keep her identity from the Winchesters, but if Dean got closer to Buffy, the truth was sure to come out.

The ropes course proved easy for the boys. Even Sam had no trouble with it, so John decided to work the boys out at a gym when they had finished. It was an old gym full of boxing wannabes. Dean fell in line and did everything John asked. Sam thought it was a stupid waste of time. By the third time John yelled at him to pick up the pace, Sam stopped altogether. “Dad,” he panted. “Dean and I are already in perfect shape. I bet he could kick anyone’s ass in this dump. Can’t we go? Don’t we have books to study? I mean isn’t finding out what attacked Dean more important than me doing more sprints?”

Dean spun around and stood next to Sam. He, too, was panting and he put his hands on his knees to rest and catch his breath. More importantly, he was concerned that Sam was disobeying their father. It was something he was beginning to do more often. Dean had never seen his dad raise his hand against either of them, but Sam was good at pushing their dad’s buttons.

“You’re done when I say you’re done. Another circuit on the weights both of you. And up the weight this time,” John knew Sam was probably right, but he didn’t like the kid’s attitude lately and he had to show him who’s still the boss. He worked out just as hard right along side them, but his mind was on all the other things he knew he had to do. Number one on that list was to call that Mr. Giles, which he intended to do right after target practice.

John dialed Giles while the boys were picking up dinner at the grocery store. “So, where the hell was your Slayer last night? My son was attacked in the alley by some stupid kiddy bar. And there was no Slayer coming to his rescue.”

Giles nearly laughed at the irony, but he had to keep Buffy’s identity a secret and he certainly didn’t care for John’s tone. He knew hunters often worked their own agenda and had concern little about the common good. “My Slayer was out killing evil in this town. I don’t recall when the safety you and your family became the main focus. I would have thought hunters should be able to care of themselves.”

John bit back his anger. He knew Giles was right and at the moment he needed information Giles had. “Sorry,” John mumbled, “it’s just that there were five vampires against my son and some tiny girl. At least, I think they were vampires, but his description was off.”

Accepting the apology Giles answered, “Well, due to their proximity to the hellmouth, the vampire’s visage will be distorted by the evil inside them.”

John nodded though Giles couldn’t see him. “Is there anything else I should know about these hellmouth vampires should I run into one?”

“Well, actually being on the hellmouth makes them vulnerable to a stake through the heart. As unlikely as that may seem,” Giles knew the hunter would find that amusing.

John was dumbstruck for a moment. “Really? That’s, well, kind of, odd, I guess.” He paused for a moment, “Is your Slayer able to handle them or would she like help? I don’t want to step on toes here. I came for the information in those books, but if she needs help, I’m offering.”

Giles began to change his opinion of John Winchester. Pastor Jim had been right. Winchester may seem like a brusque man, but he was trying to do what was right. Giles appreciated the respect the man showed to the Slayer. “I believe she is more than capable of handling it. However, should anything change I may take you up on your offer.”

John saw that the boys were coming towards him. “Look, I was wondering if you had any information about last night’s storm. The demon I’m tracking has been associated with electrical storms before.”

Giles put down the book he’d been thumbing through. This was news to him. “I’m sorry to say, I don’t. What exactly have you learned?”

“It’s not much on it’s own. I think there’s a pattern. If you‘d like I can send my findings to school with Dean.” John hoped he wasn’t asking too much.

“I will be happy to look into it for you. I have some, (what was the right word to describe Willow and Jenny? He settled on) people who may be able to gather that information. I will contact you when I know for sure.”

“Thanks.” John disconnected and watched his sons load the trunk with groceries. He prayed there was more than just junk food in those bags.

Buffy paced around her room. She knew she had to patrol tonight. Another Saturday night and she was going to be spending it in graveyards. She longed to be like other girls. She thought about Cordelia. At this moment, Cordelia was probably picking out a stylish outfit and making herself beautiful to go on some date with a gorgeous guy. Cordelia was most definitely not choosing an outfit she wouldn’t mind getting bloody. Buffy chose a couple of stakes and concealed them in her sleeve. She looked at the clock and picked up the phone. There was one thing she could do to help her feel like a normal girl.

Dean had read the same paragraph four times and it still didn’t make any sense. He wanted to throw the book, but by the looks of it, it was so old it would fall apart upon hitting the wall. Sam was actually taking notes on the book he was reading and his dad had weather maps spread out on the kitchen table. Dean would have rather been doing anything but this. He thought back to the night before. At this time yesterday, he had been schooling a college guy in pool. He smiled to himself. Last night was a heck of a lot better than tonight, even if he did get smacked around by some demons. The quiet was broken by John’s cell phone ringing. Since his phone ringing usually meant a job, both boys looked to their dad as he answered. “This is John Winchester.”

“Hi, Mr. Winchester, it’s Buffy. Can I talk to Dean?” Buffy asked cheerfully hoping Dean was at home.

John scowled, “Yeah. Dean, it’s Buffy.” He handed the phone to Dean with a perturbed look.

Dean rushed to grab the phone knowing he dad was not pleased that Buffy had called on his phone. “Hey, hi Buffy. How’d you get this number?”

Buffy was a bit put out by that response. “You gave it to my mom last night, remember?” She felt that obviously, it had been a mistake to call.

“Oh yeah, right.” Dean walked around the corner to try to get some privacy. He was feeling pretty happy she called even though he knew he couldn’t use his dad’s phone for long. “Um, do you think I could call you later? Now’s not really a good time..”

“Sure, whatever, no biggie,” Buffy hung up feeling like an idiot. I guess I was wrong about how he felt, she thought. Now feeling angry and embarrassed, Buffy decided to channel that energy into slaying. She left her house and headed for the cemetery.

Dean handed his father the phone after he had programmed Buffy’s number into his own cell. He went back to the book he was reading, but his mind was no where near being able to concentrate. He spent the next hour day dreaming about Buffy. After what seemed like an eternity waiting for a chance to call her, he finally got his chance after John said they could quit for the night. He went to stand on their small back porch and dialed her number.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mrs. Summers, it’s Dean. Is Buffy home?”

“No, sorry. I think she’s out with Willow,” Joyce answered. “I’ll tell her you called.”

“Thanks,” Dean hung up and couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He wondered what she and Willow would be doing. He knew if he was in a normal family, he probably would have had a date with Buffy that night. Instead, he’s standing alone in a crappy backyard on a Saturday night. He often loved the life his family led, but sometimes he thought it really sucked.

Chapter 4