Set after BUABS. Jo returns to Roadhouse and has to deal with meeting Sam and Dean again. I pretty much am all for Dean/Jo romance so that's also included.
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It had been about two weeks since what happened in Duluth with Sam and Dean. Jo had given up her job pretty much that night and in the past two weeks has worked in four bars. She has not hunted at all. She has spoken to her mum and Ash but didn't tell them what happened even mother's intuition kicks in Ellen knows something is wrong.
"Why don't you come home for a while Jo"? Ellen asks on the telephone. "I'd love to see you and so would Ash"
"Maybe we will see, I have to go mom I will ring you tomorrow I love you" Jo said tears welling in her eyes.
"I love you too honey please be careful". Ellen said
Since the ordeal with Sam, Jo had no one to talk to about it. She had been finding comfort lately in the bottle. She knew Dean wouldn't call after all she was a silly school girl with a crush. Sam's words had hit her hard. She thought a lot about her father and John. She had good memories of John from his time spent at the Roadhouse he would talk about Mary and the boys fondly and she had always pictured Dean as a dumb womanizer that hit on anything with a pulse and Sam an academic scholar. She thought when she meet them it would Sam she would have been attracted too as she has seen to many womanizers hit on her while working in bars trying to get in to her pants. But as soon as she punched him she knew she was hot for Dean whether it was the fact he wore a leather jacket, was a sarcastic smart ass or that he was a hunter. She remembered many tales her mother told her about her and father courting, the amount of time she was stood up for a hunt yet despite that they loved each other. Dean reminded her of her father. She had quizzed Sam many times about Dean's lovelife and ex girlfriends no of them seemed to like hunting, shooting and knifes.
It was late that night cleaning the bar she realised she needed to go back home.
On the way she stopped at her father's grave laying some flowers. It had been awhile since she has been there and she felt guilty.
It didn't Jo to get back in the swing of the things at the roadhouse. Ellen and Ash were both glad she were back but knew something had happened but they didn't push. Jo knew her mother would kill both Dean and Sam if she knew what happened.
She was out back preparing fires when she heard them.
"Hey Ellen, Ash" she could hear Dean and Sam say
"Boys what brings to this neck of the woods, you in trouble?" Ellen asked while hugging both of them. Ellen had met them often but because they were John's boys she thought of them as family even after the whole John killing her husband. She had forgiven him.
"We were wondering if it was ok with to you camp down here for few days rest? Hunting is kinda slow and we could do with the rest." Dean asked
Dena was blunt when asking for something whereas Sam would always put it a lot friendlier and more politely.
"If you don't mind Ellen we would really appreciate it and we could help around the bar if needed" Sam said
"No problem boys I have some jobs you can help with, I'll ask Jo to fix some food " Ellen said going into the back.
Both Sam and Dean froze at the mention of Jo's name they didn't know she had returned home and by the welcome from Ellen no shots fired and blood everywhere figured she didn't tell Ellen. Both are wondered how she was but none of them had spoken with her since that night.
Jo knew she would have to face them sooner so she came out from back.
"So you guys hungry, there is some fries and steak on the grill should be ready in about 15 minutes". Jo said as walked past them giving an order to another customer.
Both boys looked after and she looked fine.
The Roadhouse was pretty full that night which kept Jo busy which is what she wanted and also what maybe the boys wanted.
"Jo that was your Aunt May on the phone she having some surgery and needs me up at her place to help her out. I have to leave now, are you ok to manage the bar for a few days, Ash is here not that helps but Dean and Sam are sticking around for a few days. They can help you out." Ellen said
Jo looked at the boys and then said "Mom its ok I can manage I'm sure they need to be hunting".
"Nonsense Jo they boys are sticking around and they can help you out ok". Ellen said picking her suitcase and going over the hung Jo
"You take care of my baby and my bar or else I'll kill you both" Ellen said to the boys as she walked out the door
It was clearing up time and as usual Ash had passed out drunk. The boys had helped to him room.
Both Dean and Sam were sitting at the bar finishing their beers.
The last customer had left and the bar was silent. Jo was going put on the jukebox like she would usually do at the end of the night clearing up but she decided against it. She continued cleaning.
"Dean I have to say something" Sam said as got up from his sit and walked over to Jo. He didn't know what to say but since he nearly killed her he owed at least apology.
"Jo can I speak with you for a moment please? I think if possible we need to speak after what happened" Dean said
Jo said down at the table she was clearing and so did Sam.
She looked at him and then looked away. All thoughts of that night came back to her.
Finally Sam spoke "Jo I'm so sorry for what I did and said to you, it wasn't me it was the demon, I would never hurt you intentionally. Are you ok? It was a horrible ordeal for you." Jo wondered if Sam remembered what he had said that night. Sam went to touch her hand as a gesture but figured it was a bad idea and retracted him hand again.
Then Jo spoke "Sam I know it wasn't you that night, yes it was horrible but I'm fine I'm dealing with it".
"It's good that you came home, you didn't tell Ellen or Ash about it. She didn't shot us when came in the door" Sam said
"No I didn't tell them, it was my ordeal to deal with it my way" Jo said getting up from the table. "I better finish here, thanks Sam"
"Jo you need help with anything you let us know" Sam before leaving
Dean still seated at the bar had heard their conversation.
"Dean I'm beat I'm going turn in for the night" Sam said as he left the bar "Night Jo, night Dean"
This is not Jo wanted being alone in the bar with Dean but that's what had happened. She continued her cleaning hoping he would follow Sam and hit the hay. He finally got up from his seat and made his way over to her.
"That was nice what you said to Sammy, I know it must have been hard and he feels guilty every day for what happened" Dean said sitting himself down at the table "You awfully quiet Jo no insults or smart remarks for me, you got me worried, I don't think you are ok. I was going to call but I didn't know what to say or if you wanted me to call".
"I'm fine Dean ok, you must be tired I better finish up here" Jo said as she carried glasses to the bar.
Dean knew preferred to be herself so he left her to it.
It was about 4am and Dean was reckless couldn't sleep. I get up and have a drink it might help him he thought to himself. It was not like he had any early that night.
He went down to the bar and saw the lights on and there he saw here in the middle of the bar, tank top and boxer shorts on, hair down and messed drinking and by the looks of it a lot.
"So you having a private party or can anyone join" Dean asked as he sat himself across the table from her
Jo looked at him and back at the glass
"Its just me and Jack Daniels" she said filling her shot glass again and downing the shot. From the looks of this seemed to be a regular occurrence.
He went to the bar and took a shot glass and downed a shot.
"So Jo, your fine and your dealing with ordeal by getting drunk, am I right" Dean said
Jo looked at him "I think I'm all done you finish it you want, turn the lights off after you".
Jo got up the table nearly falling and turned to leave
"So we ever gonna talk and sort this out. You need to talk, cry, scream, hell even throw a knife or shoot something or someone preferably not me" Dean asked after her
Suddenly Jo, anger reaching boiling point. He was not ready for her next outburst and neither was she
"I sorry I forgot I'm a silly school girl, I should be crying for my mother. Isn't that how you see me Dean as a silly schoolgirl with a crush? Afterall I couldn't possible know anything about love could I?"
Both were shocked by the outburst and silence fell between them. Had Jo just told Dean Winchester she loved him