When Hanna had gone inside, the boys had lingered behind in the garden.
"What's with the signaling, Sammy?" Dean asked, as Sam sat back down on the bench, stretching his legs straight. Dean stood next to him, taking in the garden, slightly unkempt, but still beautiful.
"You know why she wants to come. It's her soul, and she is a hunter. Plus, I could see her determination from miles away. You saying anything wouldn't have changed her mind anyway."
"Yeah, but I –
"Was just trying to protect her. I know, Dean." Sam replied, knowing his brother's instincts when it came to hunts. "I think it's sweet, you know," Sam began with a small smile on his face.
"What? What's sweet?" Dean asked, cocking his eyebrows at his brother, not really realizing where this was going.
"You. You, already trying to take care of her and everything." Sam guffawed, shaking with laughter. Dean turned a little red, cleared his throat.
"Cut the crap Sammy, we do this for all the people. It's our job." He said, trying to not let his voice break into something that seemed stuck in his throat ever since the idea of that petite little hunter going against Rowena rose.
"Alright, fine, deny it. She is a hunter, remember. She knows about this, the risks, the danger and the consequences, all of it. She knows what she's doing." Sam replied, getting a little serious.
"She better, or else we're all in for it." Dean said, sighing, beginning to walk towards the house. Sam stood up a few seconds later, and followed his brother into the house.
The next week was preparation week. Hanna reduced the number of shifts in the hospital, only going in six hours day or night, as compared to the six she usually spent at home otherwise.
They were hoping to have Rowena's whereabouts by next week, but her witchy sense was good, since they couldn't get a single hit on any of their searches. Even Crowley hadn't found her.
Hanna and Matt had had a major meltdown as soon as Crowley had gone from their home, where Hanna put her foot down: She was not going to take him to the Rowena hunt.
Matt had shouted various arguments, all of which Hanna had trumped by pointing out that he hadn't even been on a simple hunt himself, which is why he was under qualified for this hunt.
Sam had managed to keep Dean from intervening into the conversation, wanting himself to convince Matt how dangerous it would be to take him into such complex hunt.
On the other hand, boys had also understood what drove Matt to rebel: the need to protect the family. They sympathized with him and thus, to try to cool the situation and form a temporary truce, Sam had offered to teach Matt some hunting 101, while Dean talked Hanna into calmness.
One fine morning, after breakfast, finding Hanna nowhere in the house, Dean wandered around the house, exploring. He hadn't had a tour yet, just the guest room and the kitchen.
He followed the passage that connected the guest bedroom and the kitchen at its one end, towards the opposite end. He pushed open the door at the end, to realize it led to the backyard.
Thud. Thud. Thwack! Thud.
He heard noise, the thud's repeating in a rhythm. He followed it, where he found a large log of wood in the middle of an overgrown garden, and Hanna furiously chopping up the wood.
Dean looked at her, observing her brow furrowed in concentration, her supple arms moving in a beat, the Axe held strongly in her grip. One, Two, Three, it came down on the wood, in identical motion, blows felling smaller pieces of logs from the large one.
She suddenly took a pause, took a large breath. Then she closed her eyes for a few seconds, and Dean saw a fat tear roll down her eye. She quickly wiped it away, and resumed her action.
Dean could fathom what was going on inside her head, the worry, the tension, the need to protect her brother, the uncertainty of her life. He walked over, quietly, not wanting to startle Hanna.
She heard him, stopping to look at him a moment, and then when he said nothing, just kept looking at her, she went back to chopping.
She knew he was nearing her, but she didn't stop in her actions. It was when he stood right next to her, then she stopped, not looking at him, just took a few drawn out breaths.
Dean gently tugged at the axe in her hands, slowly sliding it out of her hands. She yielded to him, partly because she was tired, but more out of curiosity of what he would do.
He stuck the axe thick inside the large log, with one swift and strong motion of his hands.
"Come on. Let's go inside. Isn't there TV in your house?" he asked her as he linked his fingers through hers, pulling at her as he led her inside.
Hanna felt his warmth seep in through her as they held hands and walked back towards the house. She took a minute to gaze upwards, looking at the sky, which was painted orange in the sunset. The cold breeze hit their faces, and the leaves rustling in the trees made a soothing sound.
They entered the house, Dean still holding Hanna's hand. They found their way to living room, and settled on the couch, sitting beside each other, not touching.
Hanna just laid her head on the back of the couch, closing her eyes, resting her tired body. Dean looked around, found the remote to the TV, and switched it on, wordlessly.
For the first few minutes Dean just flipped through channels while Hanna listlessly stared at the box, thinking about everything. She tried to divert her mind, tried to focus on the images on the screen, but apprehension kept building and she finally gave up, a dullness settling over her.
Dean kept glancing at her, worried that she was going through a lot, and as much as he supported the 'stow-your-feelings-away' plan, he felt himself worry at the vacant look in Hanna's eyes.
He couldn't understand why he felt the need, to try and pull Hanna out of the mental tension that she was putting herself through. Usually, Sam would take over this part, trying to sooth the victims; make them feel better with his touchy-feely-talking thing.
But he knew somehow, that it wouldn't work for Hanna. Even if she was a hunter, she was still just a human who had lost her soul. Having been there and done that, Dean felt more and more attached to this girl he'd just met, who, just like him, had sold her soul to save her brother.
He moved near her, and put his arm around her, trying to make her aware of his presence, that he was there, if she needed to talk or just not feel alone. He wanted to pull her out of the state she was in, withdrawn inside herself.
Hanna woke from her trance, her line of thoughts disturbed because of the warmth encasing her. The little gesture brought her into the reality, and suddenly she was aware of the fact that Dean was trying to say something through his actions.
The arm around her shoulders first felt awkward, but soon, she snuggled in, feeling comfortable at the simple touch. She lowered her face into Dean's chest after a few minutes, blushing slightly as she scooted closer. They sat like that sometime, not saying anything to each other.
Dean slipped his hand under Hanna's chin, lifting her head up, and then, his lips were on Hanna's, gently but firmly moving, taking control of her mouth completely. Hanna lifted her hands, and fisted them in dean's short crop of hair. Dean caressed her back slowly. Hanna shifted herself to sit across dean in his lap. Dean stood up, lifting Hanna very easily, while she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist.
Hanna woke up, suddenly, gasping. She looked around, realizing she was in her room.
They'd gone to bed after discussing a few strategies, making an inventory of all the weapons they had. Crowley had yet to call, but Dean thought it was better to be prepared.
Hanna wondered why she dreamt about Dean. She did admit that she found him attractive, but this was the first she'd ever dreamt something like this.
It wasn't as though she was a virgin, but did one time in college really count? She thought as she got up, unable to push the images out of her mind when she tried to go back to sleep.
She walked to the kitchen, to get some water, when she heard someone in the living room. She froze, trying to listen, and she sighed with relief as she recognized Dean's voice.
"So you're being vague and expect me to be thankful for a lead. That's nice," She heard him say. She followed the voice, and saw him on the phone in the living room, his back towards her.
"Hmm, now you open with that, Crowley, do you think I want to know about all the- no, you listen. No demons, or I don't have to tell you what happens- yeah, I won't even need to. She's more than enough.- Fine, call me when you have an address." He clicked off, sighing loudly.
Somewhere near, she heard snores, which she guessed belonged to Sam. Dean must've gotten a call from Crowley.
"What did he say?"
She asked, her voice a little dry. She then remembered she had come down for a sip of water, and then she remembered the real reason she had woken up. She was glad it was dark in the living room, so Dean didn't see the blush that she felt creeping on her cheeks.
He jumped a little at the question, not having noticed her join him. "It's you." he said when he made out her figure in the dark. "Crowley. He says his demons have finally got a lead, but they haven't made sure yet. He'll call soon though." Dean informed her.
"Good. About time now anyway. All this waiting, it's getting to me." Hanna quietly said, not realizing that she was speaking out loud.
"I noticed." Dean chuckled dryly. "Why are you up so late anyway? Can't sleep?" Dean asked, a little concerned, a little curious.
Hanna suddenly wanted to giggle. She suppressed the weird feeling, and composed herself before she replied. "Just uneasy, I guess. Woke up feeling alone." She said, and almost hit herself for the last sentence.
Why did I have to say that? That is the most -
Her thoughts were interrupted by Dean speaking. "Believe me. I know the feeling." He sighed a little, very quietly, but the silence of the house made it possible for Hanna to notice the sigh.
"So what did you do about it?"
"Hmm, I uh- mostly drinking and um—
Dean faltered, not wanting to relate to her that meaningless one night stands were his coping mechanism with loneliness.
Hanna seemed to understand, though, as she said. "But strangers make me feel lonelier. I tried. I honestly did. Went out a couple times, bars, clubs. But I – I can't do random, I just don't know why but I don't feel comfortable with anyone I don't really know. And to get to know them, I'd have to drag them into this mess, this strange alternate reality where monsters are real, and it doesn't seem fair to anyone, I just-"
Hanna had no idea why she had recited her whole tale of woe to this hunter before her. To be frank, she had just started saying things to make him feel comfortable. But soon the truth stumbled out as the despair over her inability to find someone rose inside her.
Suddenly, her hand was grabbed, and she jumped in surprise before she realized it was Dean who held her hand. She felt the calloused fingers, the strong grip, and the heat rolling off of him.
She couldn't see his face, just the shape, and he slowly moved towards her. She knew, what this meant, and she just couldn't make up her mind if she wanted this or not.
He moved closer, until there was no more space between them.
"Hanna?"
It was a question. He was asking her permission, and in that moment she knew, she knew that she wanted this.
"Yes." She whispered her answer, just as quietly.
Hanna's dream played out, as she kissed him for a few minutes, her legs bucking under her. He seemed to realize her inability to stand straight, so he lifted her up. She felt the images come back to her as her legs wrapped around Dean's waist, closing all gap between them.
She tried to be quiet as he walked up the stairs carrying her, and at the same time, placing soft kisses on her neck.
He carried her up to her room, and closed the door behind them.
Dean was the first to wake the next morning, and he realized he'd fallen asleep in Hanna's bed after their, well, nightly activities.
Hanna's room had a single window, and last night being cold, it was closed. But Dean felt a little stifled, so he got up and opened it, looking at the sunny morning, feeling the breeze on his face.
The light had seemed to waken Hanna, because Dean heard her shuffling inside the covers.
"Hey beautiful," Dean said, as he propped himself on elbows, beside her as she opened her eyes.
Wow. If only she could be woken every day like this, to the sight of green eyes, looking into her black-brown eyes, with this warmth and feeling of home in them.
"Hey gorgeous," Hanna smiled back, feeling the joy come to her face, unrestricted.
"You really have a beautiful smile." Dean said, shocked at the instant change in Hanna's face as the joy lit her up. He felt the strings that tugged his heart attach themselves to this radiant smile.
"It's been a long time since I smiled. Thank you for that. You know, I never met anybody as-
"Great as me?" Dean flashed a mischievous smile, and he felt the laughter form inside him.
"No, as sexy as you." Hanna confessed, the brightness of Dean's face calling to something strange but familiar inside herself, the origin of that safety and fuzziness she felt.
"I'm starving." Dean said as he stretched his shirt over his head.
"I have to make something first for you to eat it." she said, as she came out of the bathroom.
"You showered already? You're fast." Dean said, as she dried her short hair with a dryer.
"You can use my bathroom if you'd like." She said, as he sat down on the bed, watching her.
He first thought she wouldn't want the others to know about their night, but she seemed quite comfortable with him in the room. And he hadn't wanted to leave.
"Nah, my clothes are downstairs." He waved her offer, and waited her to finish combing through her hair so that they could go downstairs.
Before they left the room, however, they heard noised, footsteps shuffling downstairs. They both came out of the room, towards the railing at the top of the staircase to see what the noise was.
"Dean!" Sam's voice rang through the house. The top of the staircase gave a view of the living room, and the adjoining dining room, from where the passage disappeared into the kitchen and the guest room towards the right.
Sam walked in from the front door, to the left, and at the same time, Matt emerged from his bedroom, on the same floor as Hanna's but not adjoining. Matt came towards the railings in front of his door, and saw Hanna and Dean, raising his eyebrows to ask what was going on.
"Hey!" Dean called out to Sam, who whipped his head fast up towards the direction of Dean's voice, his hair bouncing around his face due to the quick motion.
"There you are. I've been uh- looking for you. You weren't in the room, and I couldn't find you anywhere." Sam sheepishly told them, as he looked between Hanna and Dean.
"Were you both-
Matt very insensitively began the question looking at Dean and Hanna, but on looking at Hanna's Death glare, he wisely chose to shut up. Dean looked mortified, and he quickly climbed down the staircase, while Hanna went back into her room, blushing a little.
"AAHhm." Sam cleared his throat as Dean reached him, motioning him towards the dining table. Matt went back into his own room, the drama having finished.
"Just like all other people we save, huh Dean?" Sam poked him as they sat down at the table. "Not cool, Sammy." Dean glared at his brother.
"Well, don't tell me that wasn't just a one-time thing. Was it?" Sam was curious, but he knew he couldn't ask too many questions all at once or he'd get nothing from Dean.
"Look, dude, we just woke up. okay? I don't know. I'm- she's a hunter yeah, but- I don't know, what I want or what it was Sammy. I need to figure this out. And I need to talk to her, of course." Dean said, slightly irritated, slightly in thought about Sam's question.
"Do your figuring out before you talk to her," Sam advised, admitting the topic closed for now.
Breakfast had been short and quick. Dean related the details of Crowley's call from last night, but nothing else was said.
Dean went out to Baby, tinkering to pass the time, and try to think about last night. Sam and Matt were sparring in the back yard. Hanna noticed the clock, and realized she should start making lunch. She was working in the kitchen, when Dean entered slightly greasy, smelling like oil.
"Hey,"
She knew a 'talk' was looming, but she'd rather it be later than now.
"um, so-
Dean was awkwardly hanging there, not finding the words.
"It's okay Dean. I mean, it's not like I didn't know. I know you may not want to stick around, and I know I said I don't do random last night, but I'm stressed out, and right now, I think that was what I needed. I've never done it before but there's always a first time, right? And I-
"Whoa! Back up there missy." Dean interrupted her hurried, un-thought, haphazard monologue.
"What?"
"Your first time? are you telling me you're a – a-
Dean chocked, with the bashfulness of saying 'virgin'.
"NO! of course not!" Hanna laughed to cover the embarrassment awkwardly, not fooling anyone. "I only meant a first- uh- uh-
"Hanna?"
"Um, well, technically, you weren't my first." Hanna confessed, Dean looking earnestly at her.
"So I was your-
"Um, I don't know, second?" Hanna meekly replied, her voice lowered.
Dean looked a little shocked.
"Um- I – god, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Dean looked a little upset.
"What difference would it have made?" Hanna asked, confused.
"I uh- I would have been- you know, a little- I mean more- I –
Dean was positively stuttering.
"You mean gentle?" Hanna simply asked. Dean nodded, as a pink flush rose to his fair cheeks.
"I didn't need gentle. I'm okay, Dean, and it was great for me. I don't do it often," Hanna paused as Dean softly scoffed, "Yeah, well, I was just waiting for the someone who'd been there for me." Hanna said, a little heatedly, defensively, turning to face away from Dean.
Dean was quiet for a few moments. "Hey, Hanna."
"Yeah?" she asked, without turning.
Dean's voice was earnest, his face shining with the affection he had developed as he said:
"I don't know the future, or what I want. But if ever you need me, I'll be there."
