After our conversation I bitterly drove back to the motel with the Winchesters in pursuit. When we reached the motel I leaned back in my seat and took a deep breath. I wasn't going to let Dean get to me. He hadn't pulled any kind of moves so far so I didn't know why I was so worked up. But the more I thought about it the more I began to wonder, why wasn't he pulling any moves? I had worked with a couple female hunters and the ones that had slept with him were gorgeous. I knew I probably didn't hold a candle to any of the others.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I shot straight up out of my chair, banging my head on the ceiling.
"Damn it!" I shouted grabbing my head. I peeked through my hair, out my window to see the corners of Dean's mouth twitching, trying his best to hold back a smile. Maybe even shaking a little. I opened my car door and hopped out still holding onto my head.
"What do you want?" I asked a little too aggressively.
"Just wondering where the sign in desk is." He stumbled through his sentence and allowed a small grin to break though. I raised an eyebrow and pointed to the sign that said Reception Desk. His eyebrows pulled together as he turned to look then he pulled the "Oh yeah I knew that" face as he looked back at me.
"Do you need me to hold your hand or you can manage it by yourself?" I asked sarcastically. I was surprised when he reached out his hand.
"Wanna get some ice for that?" He chuckled. I played into his game a little and playfully swatted his arm.
"Idiot." I smirked letting him know I forgave him. I could feel my wall coming down a little. "You and Sam go grab a room. I'll meet up with you guys later." I smiled and started walking towards my room.
"Wait," Dean called out, "how will you know what room we are in?"
"I'll just ask the receptionist what room the gay lovers are staying in." My witty response got me a wide eyed speechless stare. I took off before he could say anything else.
When I got to my room I realized I had the biggest smile on my face. I reached up to touch it as it faded. I knew what trusting him would do. I gave in a little but I couldn't help it. I knew I was only being held together with tape and glue. The last time I developed feelings this quickly it ended with a heart ache I couldn't afford again. I would let myself be friendly with the Winchesters but that was as far as it could go.
I climbed the creaking stairs to their room, files in hand. I didn't have any problem finding out what room they were staying in. Apparently they were the only other people staying at the motel. No one wanted to be in a town with an on-going serial killer investigation going on. When I reached their door I didn't even have to knock before it was flung open. A surprised Dean was on the other side.
"Jeeze," I was startled, "were you waiting for me or something?"
"No," he looked just as thrown back as I did, "I was going to go looking for you." He reached up and started to rub the back of his neck before he continued, "You know. Monsters on the loose seeking out single females." He threw in a nervous laugh at the end and flashed a smile. My heart jumped a little bit then I shook my head.
"So you're assuming I'm single?" I brushed off the feeling that he cared if I was safe or not. My wall was standing strong.
"Uhh no no I didn't mean that. It's just people in this line of work don't normally have serious relationships." I could tell he was scrambling but talking wasn't helping out his case at the moment.
"Well that's your opinion, not that I'm surprised." I retorted.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I clearly offended him.
"You guys do know I can hear everything," Sam shouted from inside the room, "Get in here you sound like a married couple." I marched past Dean into the room. When Sam looked up he noticed we were both giving him our best bitch face.
"Okayyy, Riley can I see the folders before you rip them in half?" Sam asked. I realized I had a pretty good white knuckle grip on the papers. I quickly handed them over.
There room was similar to mine. A small table right by the window topped with tacky curtains, two chairs, two beds, and a cheap wood door that lead to the bathroom. I walked over to the bed next to the table and plopped myself right on the edge so Sam was across from me. I assumed Dean would take the second chair at the table. Imagine my surprise when he sat right next to me. I rolled my eyes and noticed Sam was looking at Dean with raised eyebrows.
"What?" Dean asked noticing Sam and I's looks, as if he was innocent.
"Nothing," Sam responded then turned to me, "Did you steal these from the Police Station?"
I shrugged and laughed, "Yeah I didn't feel like dealing with the chief. I heard he was a dick." That got a laugh out of the two brothers. Dean stood up and grabbed three glasses and a bottle of whisky. The night continued about us discussing the evidence we had and trying to figure out what the creature could be. We all were getting along really well and with the help of some whiskey, my Dean related stress started to fade. Drinking around him probably wasn't the best idea but I needed to curb my anxiety before my hair started to fall out.
"So we have it narrowed down to two options," Sam concluded, "Vampires or Vatala." The mention of "vampire" caused me to lightly shudder.
**Flashback**
(17 years ago)
"Please," I choked out through my sobs, "you need to save them, please!" I cried to my aunt and uncle.
"There is nothing we can do to save them." My aunt said coldly. They were rushing me away from my home. I didn't want to, my parents were back there.
"No! I can't just leave them there!" I fought back.
"Enough," My uncle shook me while yelling in my face, "They didn't even train you to defend yourself. How do you expect to defend anyone else?" My crying only intensified. No one had ever laid a hand on me in a violent manner before.
"I don't want to defend anyone! I want my mommy and daddy!" I cried.
"You only have us now. And we are going to make sure you are raised the right way." Said my aunt.
**End Flashback**
"Riley," Dean gently shook me, "are you okay?" My eyes came back into focus. I noticed Dean's face was inches from mine. The alcohol helped me not freak out as I allowed myself a couple more seconds of looking doe eyed at him. Looking into his eyes helped me shake off the violent memory.
"Yeah," I blinked as I looked away from him feeling safe again, "just a little drunk." I giggled trying to convince him. I knew I hadn't but I didn't care. The last thing I wanted was to have a Dr. Phil moment with the Winchesters.
"Okay, why don't we pick this up tomorrow?" Sam said. We all stood up. I headed to the door, Sam to the bathroom, and Dean…right behind me.
I didn't say anything till we got outside.
"Where do you think you're going?" I asked him accusingly and laughed so he didn't take me too seriously. Drunk me apparently gives Dean more leeway than she should. We continued toward the stairs.
"Hey," Dean laughed putting his hands up, "I'm just trying to walk you to your room and keep you safe." He said as he stumbled. He clearly had too much to drink too.
"Dean, if something did happen you would be too drunk to save me!" I pointed out the obvious.
"I happen to be a very stable drunk." Dean said as he scooped me up in his arms and carried me down the stairs. I looked up at him and could tell he had to focus pretty hard but he still managed it. When we reached the bottom he still didn't put me down.
"Okay Superman-"
"Batman!" He cut me off.
"Whatever, you've proven your point," I teased. If I had been sober for this I might have flipped my lid. "My room is right here anyway." I said as we reached my door. He let his arm drop from under my legs, making my feet hit the ground faster than I expected. If he didn't still have his arm across my back I might have fallen.
"Well thank you for the lift back." I thanked him looking up at him. We locked eyes again but I felt more safe this time than scared.
"Anytime," he replied. Our faces got closer.
"So, umm, I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked. Closer.
"Do you want to?" He asked. Closer. Our foreheads were touching at this point.
"You'll never find out." I ducked under his arm and opened my door. "Night Dean!" I called from over my shoulder. Before I shut my door I got a glimpse of his face. He looked shocked but had a smile on. Drunk me wasn't so bad after all.