Tessa was busying herself with finishing up the salt lines in the bathroom while Dean double-checked that they'd covered every entrance into the house. Dean had cleaned up her arm and wrapped it in a bandage from the first-aid kit in her bathroom. It had been over three hours and they still hadn't heard from Sam. Tessa sighed. Right now, she should be with her family, mourning the loss of her brother. But instead she was here fighting off a damn spirit with a guy that she might possibly like- wait, what the hell? Tessa shook her head. She was just tired, that's all.
"Tess? Where are you?" Dean called. Tessa heard the clunks of him mounting the stairs, but she didn't answer. "Thanks for that," he huffed, barreling into the bathroom. Dean looked almost... worried. Tessa shook it off as nothing, though. He was on edge.
"Don't get your panties in a twist, Dean. Chill out," Tessa rolled her eyes. Dean just muttered something that Tessa couldn't make out and sat on the edge of the tub. She was then painfully aware of how close they were in the small room. When she sat on the ground, their knees touched.
"As long as no one goes into that bedroom, you'll be fine. I'm going to go back outside, alright?" Dean stood, and before Tessa's brain had time to catch up with her hands, she grabbed his wrist. "What?" Tessa opened and closed her mouth several times, staring at Dean's expectant face.
"Will you stay inside with me? Just in case," Tessa murmured. To her surprise, Dean nodded. He led her out of the cramped bathroom, down the hallway, and into her room.
Tessa's heart was pounding out of her chest as Dean sat down on the middle of her bed, scooting her discarded books and magazines to the opposite end. She sat down beside him, painfully aware of his lips and their proximity to hers. He leaned forward, so close that she could count the few freckles that dotted his face. "What's bothering you?"
"N-nothing," Tessa said shakily. She cleared her throat, but Dean had already begun speaking.
"You're lying, Tess. Your dad's going to be fine," Tessa decided it was best to let Dean think that that was her primary concern, and not the fact that his face was close to hers and she was having very inappropriate thoughts about him.
She managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Dean. Um, do you mind if I turn on some music?" Tessa was grateful when he nodded; she needed a chance to clear her head of his intoxicating scent. She quickly put in the first CD that she could find.
"Journey?" Dean smirked, clearly remembering his fake name from earlier that day. Tessa smiled, sitting down on the bed as Faithfully came on.
They say that the road ain't no place to start a family
right down the line it's been you and me
and lovin' a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be
oh, girl you stand by me
I'm forever yours, faithfully
Tessa was fully absorbed in the song, and Dean was fully absorbed in her. He watched as she tapped her foot on the bed to the beat of the music, and as she slightly parted her lips as she listened. He'd gotten too close earlier, and in a job like this, being close to anyone would just end in hurt. He couldn't afford it. Dean knew there was something that drew him to Tessa, but he wasn't sure if it was purely physical, or if it was something deeper than that. What the hell? He'd only just met this girl.
"Hello? Earth to Dean?" Tessa was waving her hand in front of Dean's face. He faintly heard the open strains of Don't Stop Believin' in the background, but that didn't matter. All that mattered in that instant was Tessa's lips and touching his to them. He closed the gap between them tentatively, waiting for a response from the girl. Tessa faltered for a moment, and just as Dean was about to pull away, she responded, sliding her arms around his neck. He kissed her softly, almost hesitantly, as if he was scared of breaking her. Tessa gave a slight jolt as one of his hands found her waist. She leaned closer, deepening the kiss.
"Tessie- what the hell?" The door flew open, revealing Daniel Lynn. Tessa let out a little gasp as she moved away from Dean, who looked stunned. Daniel stood in the doorway, his face turning redder and redder as he stared at Dean, who had failed to remove his hand from Tessa's thigh.
"Daddy, listen-" Tessa pleaded, but Daniel held up a hand to silence her.
"Boy, get out of my house right now or I'll call the police!" He roared. Tessa exchanged a helpless glance with Dean. He raised an eyebrow and leaned down to Tessa, on the pretense of picking up his jacket.
"I'll be out back," the slight whisper sent shivers up Tessa's spine. Her father marched Dean out of the house and immediately returned, still seething. Tessa opened and closed her mouth several times, unable to form a coherent thought.
"Who was that? And why the hell is salt all over the damn house?" Daniel said, his voice eerily quiet. Tessa looked up, trying to decipher her father's emotions, but his face betrayed no hint of emotion.
"Dad, listen. The salt thing is kind of difficult to explain, but trust me, okay? And as for the boy, his name is Dean. He went to school with Ty, and he came over to give his condolences," Tessa lied through her teeth, hoping her father couldn't tell.
"Condolences? That's what you're calling it?" Daniel narrowed his dark eyes. The salt lines seemed to have slipped his mind, at least for the moment. Tessa sighed quietly. "I'm going to the bedroom to get a few things packed. I suggest you do the same."
Tessa felt her heart skip a beat. "Daddy, no! Seriously, don't. Please," Tessa grabbed her father's arm, a wild look of panic in her eyes.
"Tessa, quit," Tessa watched helplessly as her father took the stairs two at a time. There was nothing she could say or do without sounding absolutely insane. She waited with baited breath, expecting to hear the sound of her father screaming at any moment.
"Let's go Tessa. Karl's making dinner," her father called, pausing to duck his head into her doorway. Tessa stared; why hadn't the spirit tried to hurt her dad?
"Um, I was thinking about heading to my friend Lily's tonight. I just need a girl's night to get away from everything," Daniel hesitated, thinking about Dean, Tessa was sure. But to her surprise, he nodded finally, pity evident in his eyes.
"Alright, sweetheart. Be careful, I love you Tessie," he kissed her forehead and left the house, locking the door behind him.
"Dean? Hello?" Tessa felt foolish as she stood on the back porch, yelling at the birds. Dean had told her that he'd be out here, but so far she hadn't seen him. She shivered slightly; the temperature had rapidly dropped since night had fallen.
Tessa hugged her satin black gown closer to her body. After her father had left, Tessa had taken a few minutes to change out of her funeral attire and shower. The shower hadn't done much to relax her, honestly. She'd pulled on a white t-shirt and her comfy sweat-shorts, along with her favorite pair of worn black Toms. The robe had been an after thought as she'd pulled her damp hair into a bun.
"I'm here," Dean murmured, appearing in a gap between two large trees. Tessa jumped; his approach had been completely silent. "Tessa, get down!"
Tessa immediately hit the deck, wincing as the wooden planks knocked the breath out of her. She turned her head to the back door and screamed. The spirit was standing there, a noose clutched in her palm.
Dean had taken off running, leaping over Tessa as he simultaneously pointed his salt gun at the spirit. It dissolved into nothing, leaving a dark, empty doorway in its wake. "Your dad must have disturbed one of the lines in the bedroom. You're sure as hell not staying here tonight. Sam and I are going to get a hotel room in the next town over. You'll be safe there."
Tessa nodded mutely, accepting Dean's offer of his hand. She got shakely to her feet, dusting the front of her robe off. "Can I grab some stuff from my room first?" Dean didn't answer, just followed her inside the house. He kept his gun up, though.
"You've got a cut on your head," Dean said, gingerly touching a spot right above Tessa's eyebrow. She raised her own hand, mirroring Dean's actions. Sure enough, her fingers came away sticky and red. "It's bad, but you'll be okay for now. When we get to the hotel I can fix it up."
"Thanks. Okay, I think I've got everything," Tessa had filled a small duffel bag with clothes, photographs, and other precious items. She had the oddest feeling that she wouldn't be coming home for a long time. With that thought her head begin to ache, from sadness or blood loss, she did not know.
"I'm ready, Dean, let's go."
