Everybody's Rushing Me

Today was one of those days. Work was hell, the customers were hell, the weather was hell. Like the universe decided to have a day of fun and shit all over my existence. Above all, my car had to break down and Bobby was out of town. No one to pick me up…so after a nine hour shift in a crummy restaurant with complaining customers and poor tips, I had to walk nearly ten miles in the cold fall weather, huddling in a worn jacket and the rather thin waitress uniform.

At this point I would have much rather gone with Bobby, or for him for that matter, to get that hunt of a nasty poltergeist done. Problem was, was that I wasn't exactly the hunter type. Well, I could hunt, just not as good as Bobby or the boys. So I took on the task of watching the house for the next few days. That was always an exciting time, answering phones and doing the research Bobby normally did. Which also, I wasn't as good as Bobby at that. In fact, compared to the older hunter I was basically incompetent in most skills other than cooking. Trust me; I wasn't great at that either. Just better than someone who once managed to set fire while cooking spaghetti. I'm also not exaggerating when I say that Bobby was a renowned genius in the world of hunting. I was all sorts of unbelievably lucky to be raised by him.

Before I get much further, I want you to know that to me Bobby might as well have been a father. I had one and I loved him very much, but when he died along with my mother, entirely different story, I was left to Bobby. He, of course, did his best to try and get me into a "normal" home. Even tried send me off to my grandparents who lived back in England. Never cared for them much seeing as they basically disowned my mother. But after lots of running off, protesting, a bit of crying and lots of shouting; Bobby finally caved. At nine years old I clawed my way into his life and refused to let go. Don't tell him this, but I think he's glad that I did. Since then he did the best he could to raise me, trying to keep me from the world of hunting, or at least the dangerous bits of actually going out in the field.

Which would bring me here; fifteen years later freezing and shivering walking the creaky steps of his old house; my home. Knowing that I'd be getting another sleepless night of staying up, taking calls, pretending to be chief of police and the FBI. Even before I stopped in front of the door I began to look for my keys. Patting my pockets, and rummaging through my purse. Only an army knife and some old receipts. Again I searched the pockets of my coats but found nothing. There was a moment in which I just stood still, glaring at the door as if it might have been the Devil itself before letting out a loud string of curses. Sure I could break my way in through a window or pick the lock. But that wasn't the point. It truly felt like the universe was working against me today, piling up menial things so I'd lose patience one little event at a time.

"Who is it?"

I froze at the voice. Muffled by the door but definitely coming from the other side. And despite the thick wood that separated us, I heard the accent, heard the low raspy drawl of his tone. "Crowley…" I sighed, shoulders drooping. Because that's all I needed today.

The door was flung open then, a smug demon on the other side, dressed in his ever pristine suit and holding a glass of amber liquid that no doubt was his favorite brand of scotch. "Why, hello love. Forget your keys?" he asked mockingly, eyes flashing a mischievous glint.

Don't get me wrong. I liked Crowley. A lot…more than I should have. In all honesty even those who loathed him at least respected him in some way. He had style, and charm which came with his job. Not to mention that he was one of those men that could make a girl of any age become speech impaired. At first glance you might have not thought much of him. I didn't. Saw him talking to Bobby, a demon of my height and stocky built. But it was the smirk that set me off. Dark and sinister and unnerving. He had me fumbling for words even before he opened his mouth. But todays, as I had mentioned before, was not a good day. And the last thing I needed was jittery feelings and a snarky demon to follow me around making suggestive comments.

"Why are you here?" I huffed, pushing pass him to get inside the warmth of the house. Kicking my shoes off I turned in time to see Crowley shut the door, chuckling bemused at my demand.

"Not even a hello? How have you been?" he asked sarcastically, taking a sip from his glass, his eyes making a show of wandering down my body. He always did that, with everyone for that matter. Male, female, inanimate object…Crowley liked to make you uncomfortable in your own skin. "Look at you, sweetheart, shivering from the cold. Would you like me to help warm you up?" He held his arms out a bit, smirk growing, eyes darkening.

Despite the nearly nauseating lurch of my stomach at the thought I managed to roll my eyes and shrug out of my coat. "For the love of God, Crowley…" I grumbled. This was usually the time that Bobby intervened. Snapped at the demon and tried to push me as far away from him as possible.

It wasn't that Bobby and Crowley were friends of any sort. But since the King of Crossroads decided to help us get Lucifer locked up he liked to pop in now and again to annoy the living crap out of Bobby. And yes, sometimes even help with finding the really odd and old lore. But that was mostly, I think, so that he wouldn't get shot and his suit ruined. Regardless of it all, I had a tendency to stick around when he popped by. And Bobby, being the ever protective hunter, apparently thought that I'd swoon and giggle and fall right into Crowley's arms. Maybe I would have if I wasn't such a stickler for my own pride.

"I hear he's busy. Try the Lord below! Which would in fact be yours truly, who would tell you to have at it." He said with another low chuckle before lowering his arms.

I opened my mouth to retort with another sarcastic comment but paused. His words not entirely making sense, causing me to think twice before speaking. "Lord below?" I repeated slowly. Another spark in Crowley's eyes. Another unsettling feeling in my gut. "What do you mean Lord below?"

"Come now, darling, I know you're clever enough to figure it out." My eyes narrowed at his statement. He couldn't actually mean what I thought he meant…could he? "You're looking at the new and improved King of Hell." Crowley stated, pride shining through on his face and in his voice. And, though I wouldn't admit to him in fear that his ego would grow and consume the world, I was impressed. Taking control of Hell, even if it was probably chaotic and in desperate need of a ruler, was no easy feat.

I let out a humorless scoff and gave a mocking bow. "Congrats, I'm proud of you." Turning my back to him I walked to the kitchen, rubbing my hands together for warmth and going straight to the kettle to start a cup of tea.

"How about a kiss for my achievement?" He quipped, seeming to be right behind me. It wouldn't have been a surprise, seeing as he had a tendency to poof around at times. Not nearly as much as Castiel, though. And always too close for comfort.

"How about a fist in your face instead?"

"Getting kinky already?" His words were low, hot breath hitting my ear. I shuddered, realizing he stood literally just behind me, and turned to shoot the demon my best glare.

"Man, personal space!" I snapped, taking a step to the side to get a cup, leaving Crowley chortling with amusement.

"Touchy tonight, are we?" he mused, jumping up to sit on the counter as if it might have been the most normal and causal thing for him to do. I only grunted in response. It was strange to be alone with Crowley. A fluttering sensation in my stomach that I pegged to be fear mixed with exhaustion. Because there was still fear in me, as any rational person would have felt being left alone with someone as dangerous as Crowley. "Where is Grumpy, anyways?" He inquired, voice just as light. Like it was normal for us to have conversations and hang out.

"Hunting," I replied honestly. There was no point in lying, no point in even retorting with something sarcastic. "There's a poltergeist a few towns over he's dealing with."

"And he's left you all alone?" Crowley mused. I turned just in time to see his signature smirk spread across his lips again. That very smirk that caused all sorts of twisting of my stomach, spinning into pretzel knots because apparently my hormones thought it was okay to start a party in his presence.

"Yeah, you know, because I'm twenty-four and just recently got out of pigtails, figured he could trust me enough to survive." My retort dripped of sarcasm, though it was nothing compared to his.

"When does the old man get back?" A frown creased my forehead as I turned slowly to look at him. He wasn't planning to annoy me for that long, was he? A few hours I could tolerate without letting anything slip…but any longer? Especially without Bobby here to intervene…I'd be screwed. And looking at Crowley I got a sinking feeling that he thought so too.

"I don't know," I replied slowly. "Should be home by tomorrow."

"So the entire night to ourselves, hmm?" My shoulders drooped and I let out an exaggerated groan of annoyance, turning to the now whistling teapot of water. "This ought to be fun."

Woo! I actually kept my word and got a chapter up! First and foremost; I would like to thank the people that are apparently already following my story. Love to you all, you guys made my day. And second; if you don't like something or have ideas on a certain way this should go don't hesitate to tell me! I'm always looking for critique and such :)

Alright, second chapter will hopefully be up tomorrow and if not; hopefully by Tuesday. Lots of love!

-Sylleth