Ch. 3 The Merrymaking

For the first time in about six months, I slept. Peacefully. No interruptions, no ringing phone with no one on the other end, no nightmares. And no dreams of him. Tranquility was finally a friend of mine.

I painted my nails a rich purple color that compliments my new dress very well. I was feeling rather festive and since some friends of mine are throwing me a birthday soiree, I figured I might as well look amazing. It's been a long fucking week, and I needed some kind of release. Tina, a coworker-turned-friend, and her boyfriend Tyler, have kept me socially occupied since I last saw him. I went to work that following Monday, noticeably mopey, and Tina offered to treat me to Starbucks. After I declined 5 times and she insisted 6, we finally ventured across the street to babble over two Grande White Chocolate Mochas, my comfort drink. I told her all about him and what happened at Singer's Auto Salvage, neglecting to divulge in the whole "I'm a Wytch and he's a Hunter" subject. She was very insightful and gave me very kind words. I couldn't have been more grateful. Since that day, we've had coffee dates on the weekdays and Girl Time on the weekends she was available. It was refreshing to be able to talk to someone who I didn't have to summon.

I took one last look in the mirror before I headed out the door. My black hair was pinned so that my ringlets would cascade down the left side of my chest and I smelled of Pink Feel Flirty by Victoria's Secret. Perfect. Admittedly, I was looking forward to meeting Tyler's friend Matt that Tina has been desperately trying to set me up with. She's pretty persuasive, but I'm still more stubborn. I told him that I would meet him and go from there, so she invited him to the party tonight. I grab my keys from the table in my tiny foyer and, just before I pick up my purse, my phone beeps. Probably someone wishing me happy birthday. Thank goodness for unlimited texts. I slide the screen up and press the Messaging tile on my home screen. I recognize the number as that mysterious fucker that keeps calling me without saying anything. So we're texting now? Ugh. The message is weird and cryptic: HBB-1438-LD. What the hell does that mean? I lock my phone, put it in my purse and head to the bar.

Just before I reach my car, I see Tyler's pull up behind mine, blocking me from leaving. Tina hops out wearing a gorgeous yellow dress and smile that reaches from ear to ear. "No way, Miss Bennett. You're getting wasted tonight so you're riding with us. Now get in, bitch!" I laugh before flashing my sparkly black and silver ring I so conveniently placed on my middle finger and walk to the car. "Happy birthday, Bonnie!," the couple says in unison. Can they be cuter? Tina hugs me and hands me a small, ornately wrapped gift card-shaped box. "Tina, I-" "Shush, woman! I told you we were getting you a gift and you're going to fucking love it." I thought about using my powers to look in the box, but she clearly spent either a lot of time or money getting something wrapped so beautifully, so I open it the human way. I cackle when I see the Starbucks gift card inside. "Now, you have no excuse to not treat yourself. One hundred dollars worth, just for you!" Holy shit, I didn't know they made Starbucks gift cards in this amount! "That actually from me," Tyler says. "I didn't know what else to get you, so... happy birthday." "Thank you, Tyler. I love it!" Tina hands me another smaller box. Is this jewelry? "Okay, I lied. ONE more. Open! Open! Open!"

"Alright, Tina! Sheesh..." I open the box and it's a-

Oh my god.

I'm sure the look on my face was that of someone who just got punched in the chest.

"Tina, where did y-"

"Is it okay? I hope you like it. I was in the pawn shop up the road and saw it. I thought you would love it, since purple's your favorite color and all... Bonnie?"

I hadn't seen my grandmother's ring in years, not since the last time I saw her before the fire. She kept telling me that it would come to me, but I didn't know Gram meant like this. I can feel the warm liquid seeping out of my eyes. This is the best present ever in so many ways. "Oh, Tina!" I throw my arms around her and weep on her shoulder and she rubs my back. When I release her, she wipes her eyes and says "I don't know why we're crying but you can tell me on the way. Let's go!"

On the way to Refuge, I did just that. I told Tina and Tyler all about the ring and the fables of Wytches in my ancestry. I also found out that Tyler, too, has mythical heritage: Werewolves. I haven't found a non-awkward excuse to touch him, but I believe it. We arrived at the bar and that familiar smell took me back to a place in time where I was happy, and had the two people outside of my family that I loved most with me. I really miss Cassie. I try not to think about her and I've eased up on the séances, but.. I can't even finish my own thought when I feel the tears streaming down my face as I look at the sign. I see Tina and Tyler turn to me after I sigh heavily and Tina rushes over to me. Man, she sure does like to hug.

"Are you okay? Oh is this...? Oh FUCK! I knew we should've just taken her out to eat. This was a stupid, stupid idea. I'm telling everyone to go home."

"No, Tina, it's fine! I'm fine, really," I call out to her before she ruins my valid excuse for paying so much for this dress. "It's just… I haven't been here in a really long time. But I'm fine, really." Tina glares at me. We both know I'm not fine, but I'm going to suck it up and have a good time. For her. She's really been an awesome friend to me and I can't let her down. I hook my left arm into her right and walk towards the door.

"Isn't this the bar where they give free shots when you walk in the door?" There was WAY too much excitement in Tina's voice. I nodded in confirmation, but suddenly remembered.. Oh shit. Tyler! I didn't know much about Werewolves other than the obvious species-shifting aspect, and I didn't want to look obvious or raise suspicion. I was next in line to show my ID and take my shot when I come up with an idea. I stop and concentrate for a second and make my phone ring. This came in handy on PLENTY of horrible dates. "Oh, it's my dad. I'm going to go take this. I'll be right in!" I walk as quickly as I can to a spot with a good enough vantage point of the door but far away so no one could see what I was doing. I put my phone up to my ear and vomit the spell out as quickly as I can to rid the whiskey of the holy water. I see Tyler take the shot and… nothing. Phew! I head back to the bar entrance to prove my and that I'm not anything "unholy" that they know of. Inside are a slew of people waving and telling me happy birthday. I wave and give hugs and scan the area for Tina and Tyler when.. holy shit he's hot. The couple and a third party walk over toward me. Luckily, I was given a few shots of liquid courage before meeting the stranger. "Bonnie, THIS is my friend Matt," Tyler said. I am NOT disappointed. He's a little taller than Dean, more muscular than Dean but they have the same colo- I stop myself. Am I seriously still doing this? Comparing people to HIM? I shake my head as if it flings out all of the bad thoughts and shake Matt's proffered hand. It's so nice to make contact with someone who doesn't have a secret. Very nice.

We talk for a while and I notice that I've been staring at his mouth for a while. The vibration of my phone yanks me out of my reverie. I check to see what it was, and… what the fuck? It's the same message I got earlier: HBB-1438-LD. I excuse myself from Matt's company and step outside. I don't know if I was fed up with the calls and the messages or the alcohol made me do it, but I did it. I dialed the number. Tina steps in the doorway and mouths the words "Are you okay?" to me. I nod in reply with a half-serious smile on my face. She smiled back and turned to rejoin the festivities. Her presence mildly distracted me from the phone call I was attempting to make. Six rings and a "You have reached the voicemail of" later, I hang up the phone. I texted the number back: WHO IS THIS? I decide not to wait for a response and rejoin Matt at the bar.

"Is everything alright?" He's so nice.

"Yeah, I just had to make a quick phone call. So where were we?" I have a propensity to fake a smile when the situation calls for it. With that thought, I mentally pat myself on the back.

"You were just telling me about the project you were… working…"

I was so lost in his lips that I didn't notice he averted his gaze to the lights over the pool tables.

They were flickering.

I felt a rush of heat come over me and my body started to tense up as if I was preparing myself for a car crash. I can generally tell if the spirit causing the disruption in electricity means harm but this time I felt nothing, just heat. For a millisecond I didn't concern myself with what was going on as to not cause panic and not give myself away, but as I scanned the perimeter of the bar, a bar that is a safe haven for Hunters, not one was in site.

I need to get these people out of here.

As soon as that thought entered my mind, I felt the ground shake and noticed all of the party-goers shivering. When they spoke to one another, steam escaped their lips. This was worse than I thought.

I need to get these people out of here. NOW.

Luckily, the party scene started dissipating; Tina and Tyler were trying to convince the other few stragglers that they should go home as well. Matt just stood by my side, confused. Ugh, he's hot when- stop Bonnie. No time for that now. Get. Them. Out! Before I could tell Matt that he needed to leave if he valued his life, Tina and Tyler were on their way over to us. Tina wore the vaguest hint of panic, but her beau was as cool as a cucumber. Tyler started talking to Matt when Tina pulled me aside. "We need to talk." Oh shit. Once we got Matt and three others to leave, Tyler approached us. He looked me in the eye and uttered six words I would've never guessed he'd say in a million centuries.

"Bonnie, you have to call Dean."

The request paralyzed me. "I- He- no! I can't! I've tried to talk to him befo-"

"Bonnie, please," Tina pleaded. "I have a confession." She sighed heavily before she continued. "I tried to get him to come tonight but I couldn't get a hold of him. Tyler and I know about you. That's why we bought you the ring. We know what it can do and with a powerful enough Wytch, it can take down whatever's coming for us."

"So you knew this thing was coming tonight?" I think I had more questions than they had answers.

"Well, kinda." Did Tina know about Tyler? "Tina woke up from having a nightmare not too long ago. You were in it. She was told by an older lady to go buy the ring and give it to you and you will protect us tonight. I don't know how much I can do but you know spells right?"

A lady? Was it.."My Gram told you to do this?"

Tina held her head down, "Yes. I wanted to tell you but I didn't think you wanted to talk about it. I figured you would tell me when the time was right, but I promised her I'd give you that ring. And then.. all this happened."

"I don't know how much damage I can do, but I can change and try to hold them off. Tina, you need to get somewhere safe. Bonnie, if you don't think you can do this, it's okay, but we all need to run. This thing is getting closer and heading here fast."

I hear my Gram telling me that I could do this and I remember some of the spells she taught me the last time I found myself in a bind. I nod and inform them of what we need to do to seal off the bar. We salt all of the doorways and windows in record time and made sure they were locked. I point out the Devil's Traps and have Tina trace over them to make sure they're intact. Luckily, there are rugs nearby to cover them up.

Where is the owner?

Three seconds later there's a knock at the door. Tyler motions for Tina to stay on the trap as he creeps up to the main door. He leans to the right and peeks out the window? "All I see is a black older Impala."

Oh, fuck.

The knock happens again and I am almost to the point where I want it to be whatever's coming for us. I hide behind a pool table with Tina still in my sights. I put my head in my hands to try to block everything out, but it's no use. Tyler's voice stops whatever I was doing. "Can I help you?"

And then I heard the all too familiar voice. "Yeah, I'm looking for Bonnie. I heard that she'd be here tonight." The heat that I felt earlier was finally gone and a wave of calm washed over me. I couldn't believe he was actually here. I found the strength to stand up from behind the pool table and look at his face. That beautiful, friendly face. His stern look turned into a smile when he saw me. I ran as fast as I could and jumped into his arms. I missed these arms so much. They were always there when I needed them and here they are again, never failing me.

I could feel myself crying into his shoulder as he rubbed my back and told me that everything would be okay. That voice. I could always trust that voice. For some reason, I completely ignored the fact that the other Winchester sibling wasn't here. I decided to question the whereabouts of his brother as we walked farther into the bar so Tyler could shut the door.

"He said he's been trying to get a hold of you."

"I wonder if.." I reach in my purse and pull out my phone. I showed him the number and he nodded and smiled. "Yep. That's him alright."

"So do you know what this code means?" I held my phone up to his face again to see if he could decipher the message that's been haunting me all day.

He sighed. "He's so fucking lame sometimes. That eight is supposed to be infinity… like forever or always."

I looked at him while thoroughly confused until it dawned on me.

Holy shit.

"Happy birthday Bonnie. I love you always." Hearing myself saying the words out loud made me slightly dizzy. I wasn't strong enough to not cry when I said the first part, so I said the latter in my head.

Love, Dean.

As soon as I focused, I was ready for the demons that were approaching. It took us a while, but Sam, Tyler and I were able go in to this fight and come out with 4 warm bodies. Tina, even with no special powers, did a little ass kicking of her own. I was proud, and happy and relieved. We all talked about it after it was over and cleared some things up for Tina. I gave her and Tyler hugs and thanked them for everything. I decided to ignore what I could of the flashes of Tyler's life when I embraced him. I'll do that when I'm not so tired. He was good and that's all I needed to know at that point.

Sam and I got into the Impala and he took me home. He almost lost the fight to sleep on the way there so I let him crash on the couch. I showered and got into bed, thinking more about the texts and the phone calls and over analyzing all of it. I wish he had been there tonight. I miss him so much. I felt myself cry some more before I drifted off to sleep.

This is the last night I would fight anything or anyone without Dean by my side.