( So I got a few messages as to how this story might turn out, I've read a lot of Crowley Fics and they normally just jump right into a relationship/sex and I wanted a story with more substance? I'm definitely going to have that type of stuff, but it's not going to be as sudden! ALSO the next chapter will be picking up a bit more, I know the first two were a little dry, but I needed to start somewhere! Anyway, enjoy! )
As the blood sprayed and coated each of the men's faces and cloths, Dahlia couldn't help but hold back her smile. It had been such a long time since she'd seen them.
They both stared at her, confused and furious. They weren't sure how to react, but she knew how to liven the situation. Quickly, she used a free hand to grab a small flashlight from her pocket, and shined it at the two men.
" F-frank? Is that you! " The taller man's voice was muffled, as he hastily wiped the blood from his mouth and eyes.
" You could have warned us, you son-of-a-bitch! " The shorter man's voice was much louder than his companions, and Dahlia's smile couldn't help but widen as she looked at them.
She hadn't seen Sam or Dean in over three years, but the last time they had did a hunt together, she'd nearly died. Over the next few years she kept in contact. Helping with information on different monsters, or pulling in favors for the boys to pull off a job. This was the first face to face contact she'd had with any family in quite some time. She wanted to throw her arms up and hug them, but it had been a long time, and the last time they had met, it hadn't gone too well.
" Deana, you look like you're doing great, you too Sam.." Dahlia's voice was soft, and she couldn't help but step forwards to take in their figures.
Deana and Samuel were the boys grandparents, and Dahlia was well aware how uncomfortable it made Dean, knowing he was named after a woman.
" This nest is the last one in west Wyoming, and although I hate to say it, I have to thank the two of you. You just made my night a lot shorter.. And less messy.."
Soon after Dahlia spoke the boys looked at one another and realized that they were completely covered in blood. Before they could catch up anymore, they'd have to clean up and change.
Dahlia's waist length, deep auburn hair was damp and pushed behind her ears, she was focused on the screen of a computer that sat on a desk in her Hotel room. One of the Winchester brothers was sitting on the second bed in her hotel, the other was in the shower.
Dahlia's green eyes were tired, but alert. Without saying a word she typed the keys on her keyboard and bit her bottom lip. She was going to have to cancel her date.
The secondhand hotel room she had rented was in okay condition. She had stayed in much worse, and for the week she was here, it would be fine.
Nervously she fidgeted with the zipper on her sweatshirt, her bare legs bobbing slightly as her anxiety began to rise. No one was talking and it was making the room uncomfortable.
Dahlia's voice cracked slightly as she spoke up to Sam, causing him to look over at her suspiciously.
" Are you, um. Hungry?"
Sam's build and height had grown considerably since the last time she saw them, he could barely fit on the twin size mattress that the hotel provided.
" Yeah, we're hungry.. Right Sammy? " Dean's voice seemed to boom into the room as he finished pulling down his shirt and ran a hand through his short hair, shaking any moisture from it, and into the air.
Dahlia sat quietly at the only small diner that the town had, quietly sipping her beer as Dean and Sam talked about their last few hunts. She'd occasionally chime in with some things she'd learned or done. She'd worked with a lot of other hunters, and after the whole ' end of the world ' fiasco, she'd tended to not let anyone know she was a Winchester.
"But, you look good Frank, how's your dog? " Sam's attempt at small talk set a fire in her stomach, causing her to shoot him an ugly look.
Dahlia had known the boys for most of her life. Her mother had gotten killed while on a Hunt, and her father did the best he could to keep her away from the life of a Hunter. She'd spend her summer's with the boys while the adults were on trips, and with Dahlia being the oldest, she was normally in charge. She had been excessively mean to Dean as a child and he made sure she remembered it as adults. The term 'Frank' came from her middle name, which was Frankcheska. Dean often referred to her as a man, thus the name Frank came to be. Dahlia was too feminine for her, at times, so she didn't mind being called by something that reminded her of her cousins.
" Are we just not going to talk about the last time we were together? " Dahlia's voice got low and serious as she put her forearms on the table and leaned forwards.
Both boys backed up and into their chairs and Dahlia pulled back a little. Being a hunter meant you had to be abrasive and strong, Sam was the only exception. His gentle nature was countered by Dean's brashness.
Both boys were quiet until the waitress came over and took their food order. Then the silence continued, but with the occasional ting' of their beer bottles hitting the glass tabletop.
" I called you a dozen times to come to the house, and you never replied.. Not once." Dahlia paused, looking at each one as she spoke.
" I don't blame you.."
The last sentence caused both grown men to shift in their seats. She had almost died during their last meeting. Lucifer had been taken into Sam's body and nearly killed Dean and Bobby as well. Luckily, Castiel had been there to bring her back from the brink of death. The last time they had spoke was after Bobby's passing. That would be something she'd bring up when they weren't in public, she knew someone would be yelling, it was better for it to be at a closed location.
" It's just.." Sam spoke up again, but Dean locked eyes with her and leaned over the table, his voice growing louder with each word he spoke.
" No one else needs to die, no one who's close to us.."
The subject had riled Dean up, and within minutes of talking to her, his voice had gotten loud, drawing the sneering looks of the other diners eating their dinner. Quietly he sat down and sunk into his chair.
" I'm going to be okay, it's you two I'm worried about.." Dahlia spoke with confidence, but Dean's concern was justified. Many people they knew were dead. Although the boys had been on more interesting hunts than her, she'd been on far more that had been more dangerous. It was always either a Demon or Werewolf, sometimes a vampire or something in between. The whole Heaven/Hell Fiasco had made the presence of Angels more prevalent on Earth also. Something she still had trouble believing in.
" I need you to remember how well I do my job, and how I can take care of myself. I'm much stronger than I was three years ago.. "
Dahlia's vast knowledge of Monsters and Creatures was only matched by one man, Bobby, and with his passing a new hole was left in the boys armor.
" We have a guy, to.. you know, help us with the technical stuff. " Dean spoke while using his hands, he cleared his throat and Sam looked at him with distress.
" Listen, I know Bobby's gone and you boys could really use some help.. I can help you, I'm going home in a few days. Any info on what ever the fuck you run into, I can have your back. " Dahlia paused before glancing at the ever curious people within the diner staring at them.
" I can't get killed over the phone. " Dahlia brought up her hands as to prove a point, but they weren't going to be easily persuaded.
Their dinner had ended shortly after their talk and Dahlia had convinced them to stay in her room. Although there was some very tacky, old wallpaper and paint, the room was well enough off. It had two beds and a pull out couch, the boys were hesitant, but fell asleep within the hour.
Sleep wasn't her favorite thing, and very often it led to dreaming and seeing things she wished she hadn't; both good and bad.
Dahlia was on her computer until almost two, where she fell asleep and nearly missed the boys' departure.
" We have to let her know we're leaving! " Sam's voice was hushed and quiet, Dahlia listened as the boys clumsily walked over things in the room, trying to get ready in the dark. Silently she slipped from her covers and over to the half wall next to her front door. She flicked the lights on and watched both men freeze still.
" I went through some of the things on your computer while you were sleeping, what's the 'Word of God'? And how are you going to close the gates of Hell? " Dahlia brought up her hands and rubbed her eyes, the sun wasn't yet out, she could still use a few more hours of sleep.
" My computer is protected, there's no way you could have-"
Sam's protests were stopped by Dahlia's extended arm, she shook her hand needlessly before yawning and speaking up.
" Your hacking skill aren't that great, don't get so upset. " Dahlia's eyes began to adjust to the room. She got a clear look at them, they looked like scared, stunned animals caught in headlights.
" I don't care if you leave, but you need to catch me up on what's going on." Dahlia's mind was clouded, but she'd investigate everything she read about as soon as she got home.
The boys argued for a moment, but the fight inevitably ended with Sam leaving and getting everyone coffee and donuts. Dean caught her up on nearly everything.
Dean had 'died' and gone to purgatory with Castiel and he'd been brought back, as had Castiel. Everything was a mess, many of the people Dean and Sam had grown up with were dead or estranged, they were constantly running into demons or angels that wanted them dead. They had been sucked into something much larger than any hunter had, had to deal with. They were trying to seal Hell up for eternity, and trying to do that had made some enemies.
" Listen, the three trials you just mentioned, I remember reading something about them as a kid.. I'm sure I have a book on it at the house. " Dahlia spoke and glanced at her laptop briefly, she knew she would be able to help them some way.
" How about this, I'll find out what I can and get back to you. No meeting up, just over the phone.. No one knows I'm a Winchester besides you two, legally I'm dead anyway, really boys I can look out for myself."
It could have been her constant badgering or her convincing tone, but they both gave in, and within a few hours she made them promise to come visit her.
" It's the same place, right? Up in Ny? " Dean's voice was uncertain for a moment, but he didn't show any shift in confidence.
" Yeah, but I've made some improvements.. You'll see when you get there."
Goodbyes weren't comfortable for any of them, so a simple hug and wave goodbye was all that was needed. She hadn't mentioned the shit she had been through in the past three years. How many times she'd come close to death, or her run in with an Angel, whom she'd shared a body with for a short time. The boys needed someone to articulate their feelings too, and for now that was fine with her.