The sun was barely coming over the horizon the next morning when Sam, dressed for the day, knocked on Alicia's bedroom door. No one responded, so he knocked again with more urgency.
"Who is it?" Alicia asked on the other side.
"It's Sam," the younger Winchester replied curtly. "Look, I know Dean's in there." He heard two voices on the other side and some shuffling noises, and the young man rolled his eyes, mentally bracing himself as he always did when retrieving Dean after his nocturnal escapades. Sam waited impatiently for almost a minute before the door was flung open by his brother, almost completely dressed in his clothes—which were very wrinkled—from the previous day.
"Morning, Sammy," Dean replied cheerfully as he shrugged his arms into his shirt sleeves. Sam looked into the room over Dean's shoulder and saw Alicia sitting at the foot of her bed, dressed in jeans and a green tank top, her hair pulled into a ponytail, and lacing up her boots. She gave him a small, slightly embarrassed smile, and a brief wave. Sam turned back to his brother with an incredulous look on his face, and Dean's smile faded. "What?"
"Really?" Sam asked, frustrated.
"What?" Dean repeated, more annoyed.
Sam just stared at him. "You know what."
Dean looked confused, then he realized what Sam was referring to. "Oh, yeah," he replied casually, scratching the back of his head. He glanced over his shoulder at Alicia, who shrugged slightly. Dean gave a small nod, then turned back to his brother. "Look, whatever you think—"
"You don't want to know what I'm thinking," Sam interrupted as he walked in the room and closed the door behind him. "I'm just here because I heard Dad and Bobby downstairs. Dad wants to get on the road, and it sounds like he's getting impatient, and he's about to come up and haul our asses downstairs. Now, I'm not sure exactly what he'll do if he catches you in here, but I'm willing to bet if Bobby finds out, it'll involve a huge amount of slow, torturous pain."
"Totally worth it," Dean replied, grinning.
Sam sighed, exasperated. "Can we just go?" he asked impatiently. He glanced at Alicia as the young woman stood up, and he sighed, his expression softening. "Look, Alicia, no offense."
"None taken," Alicia replied, almost amused. She glanced at Sam first then at Dean, looking a little sad. "So, I guess this is good—"
"Okay, hold it there," Dean interrupted, holding up a hand. "It's just a little job we're taking, not some suicide mission. We'll be back in a few days. I mean, I still gotta fix my car, and you and I have some, uh," he motioned his finger, pointing between himself and the young woman, "unfinished business." He glanced at Sam, who was giving him an incredulous expression. "What?"
"Nothing," Sam replied, annoyed as he grabbed his brother's arm, yanking him toward the door. "Let's go." He grabbed the knob and twisted it, opening the door. He stopped short when he saw Bobby and John standing on the other side, Bobby with his hand up, poised to knock. For a moment, the four men just stopped, staring at each other. Bobby and John glanced between Dean and Sam, while the brothers glanced between the two older men.
"Oh, you son of a bitch!" Bobby exploded at Dean, his eyes daggers.
"Really, Dean?!" John shouted at his son.
Dean's eyes widened as he held his hands defensively. "Look, I can explain," he said, his voice panicky. He glanced at his brother, silently pleading with him for help, but Sam looked just as scared as his brother.
"I'm gonna rip you limb from limb, you asshole!" Bobby growled as he lunged for Dean.
"Manete!"
Both Bobby and John suddenly froze in place, unable to move. Dean and Sam just stared, eyes wide, then slowly turned their heads and saw Alicia, hand outstretched, staring at her uncle and John with wide eyes.
"Did you just…," Dean asked, jerking his thumb at the older hunters.
"Yeah," Alicia replied, her voice shaky and full of panic.
"Son of a bitch," Dean replied, admiringly.
"Alicia…," Bobby said, his voice straining.
"So, I was thinking," Alicia said quickly as she glanced at the brothers, "since this is going to wear off in about fifteen minutes, it might be a good idea if the three of us weren't here when it did." She hurried over to her nightstand and pulled open the top drawer, pulling out a set of car keys and her cellphone, before squeezing past John and Bobby, heading out the door.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Dean replied as he quickly followed her, trying to ignore the murderous expression in both Bobby's and John's eyes. Sam hesitated, then reluctantly followed, avoiding eye contact with the two hunters as he hurried out the room. He followed Dean and Alicia as the trio made their way downstairs and out the kitchen door, walking quickly through the salvage yard until they came to Alicia's car.
"Okay, toss me the keys," Dean said, holding out his hand as he headed for the driver's side door.
"Why?" Alicia replied, stopping and folding her arms.
"So I can drive us the hell out of here," Dean answered slowly in a 'why am I having to explain this?' tone.
"And what makes you think you're going to be driving?" Alicia asked as she marched over. Dean opened his mouth, but Alicia didn't give him a chance. "Look, just because we spent the night together doesn't mean you're driving my car." Dean looked almost affronted, then turned to Alicia just as she opened the driver's door, squeezing past him and getting in; she shut the door. Dean looked over the top of the car as Sam stood next to the front passenger side door, and it was clear the younger Winchester was trying not to laugh.
"I call shotgun," Dean said, glaring at his brother.
"Too late," Sam said gleefully, quickly opening the passenger side and getting in.
"Hey!" Dean protested, but Alicia started the engine, gunning it a few times. Dean sighed, muttering under his breath as he opened the back door and got in, slamming it shut behind him. A few moments later, Alicia put the car in drive, and the Chevelle sped off, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.
Alicia pulled her car into the parking lot of a small roadside diner a few miles from the house, and parked in an empty spot near the front. The trio got out and headed inside, and the brothers glanced around. The restaurant, like many others the brothers had visited during their travels together, looked like a classic vintage diner: booths with napkin holders, condiment bottles, sugar packets, and salt and pepper shakers; a long sit-down counter with stools; and a short order kitchen bustling with activity. Waitstaff milled about, serving a small handful of customers.
"Alicia!" a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and a cheerful smile, dressed in a yellow and white waitress outfit approached the trio.
"Sally!" Alicia smiled as she hugged the older woman. "It's good to see you!"
"Oh, sweetie, it's good to see you, too," Sally replied. "How long has it been, a month?"
"Yeah," Alicia replied. She indicated the brothers. "Guys, this is Sally. Sally, this is Dean and Sam. They're my…friends."
"Well, it's nice to finally meet some of Alicia's friends," Sally replied, looking between the brothers. "Every time this poor girl would come in, she'd always be by herself."
"I preferred it that way, Sally," Alicia replied, smiling tightly. "Can we get something to eat?"
Sally nodded and pulled a notepad and pen from her apron pocket. "Sure, your usual?" Alicia nodded. "And what can I get you boys?"
"Short stack, please," Sam replied, "and coffee." Sally scribbled the order down.
"What's your special?" Dean asked.
"We got 'The Deuces'," Sally replied. "Two eggs, two bacon, and two pancakes."
"Ooh, I'll take that," Dean replied. "Make my eggs scrambled, and I'll have a coffee, too."
Sally scribbled. "Okay, hons, I'll get that going for ya if you wanna grab a seat. Allie, your usual booth is free." She headed for the kitchen to put in their order while Sam and Dean followed Alicia to a booth near the back of the diner. Sam took one side, while Dean and Alicia took the other. The trio sat in silence, not sure what to say.
"So," Sam said after a few moments, "you think it's worn off by now?"
"We'll know sooner or later," Alicia replied. Alicia's phone suddenly chirped loudly in her pocket, causing all three of them to appear worried. "Looks like sooner." She nervously pulled her phone from her pocket and flipped it open, tentatively holding it close to her ear. "Hello?" She cringed as she jerked the phone away, and Dean and Sam could clearly hear Bobby's voice shouting expletives and threats; they winced as if Bobby was standing right next to them, yelling in their faces. After some time passed, Alicia brought the phone back up, and took a deep breath before speaking calmly over his yelling. "Uh, Bobby, look, I can tell you're a bit cranky, so I think it would be best if we come back later when you're a little calmer, okay?" She flipped her phone closed and put it back in her pocket, sighing. "I don't think we should be going home any time soon. Bobby's a little…upset—and I think I heard John in the background throwing in a couple of threats of bodily harm as well."
"So, any guesses when we can go back" Dean asked, "or are we just gonna be road tripping in a Chevelle from now on? 'Cause if that's the case, then I'm laying it out right now: I ain't spending the entire time in the back or riding shotgun."
"We should be okay by tonight," Alicia replied.
"Tonight?" Sam asked confused. "You think they'll have calmed down by then?"
"Enough," Alicia answered. "They're still gonna be pissed, believe me, but we should be able to come back without being flayed," she shrugged, "at least, I'm pretty sure."
"Wonderful," Dean muttered as he shifted uncomfortably before glancing at his brother, who stared at him with an annoyed expression. "What?"
"This is all your fault," Sam replied.
"Hey, Allie's the one who Harry Potter-ed Dad and Bobby," Dean retorted.
"She wouldn't have had to if you hadn't been such a horndog," Sam spat back.
"Actually, Dean was a perfect gentleman last night," Alicia pointed out.
"See?" Dean replied smugly. "The lady says I'm a perfect gentleman."
"The lady doesn't know you like I do," Sam retorted. He quickly glanced at Alicia. "No offense."
Alicia didn't look the least bit offended. "You know, Dean and I are two consenting adults."
"Hey, I don't care," Sam replied, "but this is Bobby we're talking about, and you're his family—his only family."
"I'm a blood relative," Alicia said, "but Bobby considers you and Dean family as well," she chuckled, "and John—when Bobby's not threatening him with a shotgun." Sam smiled slightly. "Just because we've only met recently doesn't mean I don't know about you from him. He's told me a lot of stories about the two of you, and, trust me, the way he talked…he cares about you—a lot."
"Well, right now," Sam replied, "he seems hell-bent on killing Dean—and me by association."
"Which is why we're going to stay out until things calm down," Alicia retorted, right before Sally came over with a tray with their food and drinks.
"Okay, here ya go," she said as she started putting glasses down. "Coffee and orange juice for Alicia, coffee for you two gents, and here is your food." Dean and Sam looked satisfied when Sally put their plates in front of them, then they looked over when Alicia's plate was placed in front of her; they stopped and stared when they saw its contents: a large, double bacon cheeseburger with extra pickles, dripping with ketchup and mustard, and a side of hashbrowns; As Sally walked away, Alicia grabbed the ketchup bottle and generously drizzled the condiment over them before setting the bottle down.
"What the—?" Dean asked, staring at her food. "That's your usual?"
"Yep," Alicia replied as she picked up the burger.
"And you actually eat all that?" Dean asked, incredulously.
"What, you thought I lived off vegetables like some skinny-ass Barbie doll?" Alicia asked. She didn't wait for an answer before taking a big bite. She closed her eyes in content as she chewed, her cheeks bulging. Dean and Sam stared at her for a few moments, then glanced at each other, amused, before they dug into their own plates. The trio spent the next several minutes eating and sharing stories, talking and laughing naturally as if they were old friends.
"Damn, girl, you inhaled that," Dean mumbled around a mouthful, looking slightly impressed as Alicia cleaned the last bit of food off her plate.
"I was hungry," Alicia smiled as she stood up. "Look, you guys finish up, and I'm gonna go take care of the bill." She headed for the cashier at the front, and Dean glanced over his shoulder and just watched her with a slightly goofy grin on his face. After a few seconds, he heard snapping in his ear, and he turned to see his brother giving him an amused expression.
"Dude," Dean said, annoyed.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Sam replied sarcastically, "did I interrupt you mentally undressing her?"
"Hey," Dean replied, looking offended, "have a little respect for the lady, okay? No need to be vulgar." He saw Sam just staring at him, eyebrows raised, which made him uncomfortable, so the elder Winchester stared down at his plate, shuffling the last bit of food around.
Sam watched his brother for a few moments, then he tilted his head as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "You didn't sleep with her," he said.
"What are you talking about?" Dean asked. "I was in her room all night; of course I slept with her."
"Well, yeah," Sam replied, "but I mean, you didn't sleep with her." Dean didn't look up, and Sam slowly smiled, chuckling. "I mean, it makes sense, now: your clothes are all wrinkled, because you slept in them, not out of them. And when Alicia said you spent the night together and you were a perfect gentleman…." Dean didn't speak up, and Sam knew he was right; he chuckled, impressed. "Wow."
"What?" Dean asked, annoyed.
"You were with an attractive girl, in her room all night, and you didn't sleep with her," Sam said. "You're growing up."
"Oh, shut up," Dean replied. "It's not that big of a deal."
"Oh, it's a big deal," Sam replied. "In fact, we should celebrate the fact that you can actually keep it in your pants." He teasingly held up his coffee mug in a mock toast.
"Shut up," Dean said as he threw a wadded napkin at his brother, who easily caught it, chuckling.
"So," Sam replied, putting it on his plate, "what happened?" Dean gave him a look. "Look, you two seem okay, and she obviously didn't kick you out, so whatever the reason, it wasn't something bad."
"Not bad," Dean said as he took a sip of his coffee. "Just...interesting."
Sam recognized the flicker of seriousness in his brother's eyes. "Oh?" he asked curiously as he leaned back, folding his arms. "What?"
Dean raised an eyebrow as he began recalling the previous night.
Alicia moaned softly as Dean pressed against his lips the spot under her left jaw, gently sucking, before he moved back to her mouth, kissing her with fervor. The hunter moaned as he felt her fingers trace down his arms, his muscles tensing under her touch, his head swimming as he felt fought to keep some semblance of control of the situation. He yelped as he suddenly found himself flipped on his back, with Alicia straddling his waist. An animalistic lust flashed in her eyes for a brief moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Damn," Dean panted, a smile on his face, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him, kissing her hungrily. His hands quickly moved up under her tank top, eliciting a small moan from her as he gently caressing the smooth skin on her back.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a second," Sam interrupted, looking uncomfortable. "Why are you telling me this?"
"You wanted to know what happened last night," Dean replied, "so I'm telling you."
"I don't need to know about you two pawing at each other in bed," Sam protested. "Get to the important stuff."
"I'm leading into the important stuff," Dean retorted.
"Well, stop leading and get there," Sam ordered. Dean mocked him briefly before getting back to the story.
Dean's hands moved further up Alicia's back when she suddenly pulled away.
"Wait," she said, panting, before scrambling to her feet and pacing in front of her bed.
Dean looked confused before sitting up. "What the hell?" he asked.
"Look, I'm sorry," Alicia replied, her expression a mixture of apologetic and slightly panicked. "I–I can't do this." She stopped pacing, and Dean just stared at her. "I'm sorry, Dean."
Dean just stared at her for several moments in disbelief before he snorted and stood up. "Really?" he asked. "You're going to pull that crap now after you started it?"
Alicia paused, frowning. "'I started it'?" she asked incredulously. "You're the one who came to my bedroom in the middle of the night with only one goal in mind."
"You answered the door in that getup," Dean replied, taking a step toward her, "which I noticed you weren't too shy about."
"It's my bedroom, Dean," Alicia retorted, stepping toward him. "I don't have to have a dress code."
"You also didn't have to let me in."
"You promised to behave yourself," Alicia retorted.
"I never actually promised anything, sweetheart," Dean pointed out, taking another step toward her, stopping inches from her. Alicia opened her mouth but closed when she recalled their conversation. She glared at him, her jaw set. "Oh, but guess what? I still behaved."
"If you call pulling me onto your lap and getting all touchy feely behaving."
"You're the one who ordered me to take off my shirt and lay on your bed. Oh, and for the record, I wasn't the only one getting handsy." Alicia opened her mouth, but Dean stopped her. "You know, forget it. Look, I came here thinking we both might want the same thing, but I obviously made a mistake, so I'll just get out of your hair." He headed for the door and put his hand on the knob.
"You're wrong," Alicia replied quietly.
"Oh, yeah, about what?" Dean asked angrily.
Alicia hesitated. "Wanting different things," she finally answered. Dean just stared at the young woman, causing her to appear self-conscious.
"Well, you certainly have a funny way of showing it," Dean replied harshly. He scoffed and shook his head. "Let me guess: you don't want to piss off Bobby."
"Bobby can screw himself," Alicia replied. "This has nothing to do with him."
"Oh, yeah, then what is it?" Dean asked, folding his arms.
"The demon," Alicia replied softly.
Dean looked at her, his expression clearly indicating he wasn't expecting that response. "What the hell does this have to do with the demon?"
Alicia scoffed. "You're kidding, right?" she asked. "Everything in my life has been about the demon."
"So has mine."
"No, it hasn't, Dean." The young woman tried to keep her composure, but she felt the years of pent up frustration welling up like the tears in her eyes. "That bastard has targeted me since I was a baby. I lost both of my parents to it. I got a freakin' tattoo when I was five to keep me from getting possessed-that's not normal. I couldn't have any friends, because they'd think I was crazy or they'd get killed—or if I trusted the wrong person, someone would kill me. I worry about that thing coming after Bobby, especially now that Rumsfeld's dead."
"Bobby told you about him?" Dean asked, his demeanor calmer.
Alicia shook his head. "He was my familiar," she said. "He'd guard the place while I was gone, keep an eye on Bobby when I couldn't. He'd communicate with me through visions and such. The last time he contacted me was two days ago, and I see this vision of a demon possessing a young woman approaching him as he's guarding the house," her chin quivered, "right before she tears him apart. I feel his pain rip through me like a knife, hear his bloodcurdling yelps as she kills him." She couldn't hold back the tears any longer, and they spilled out as fast as her words. "I don't want anyone else close to me to die."
The anger and frustration Dean had toward the young woman had long since vanished, replaced with sympathy and a strong sense of familiarity as he stepped closer to Alicia, putting a hand on her shoulder. Still crying, Alicia wordlessly buried her head into Dean's chest, sobbing and weeping, her entire body shaking, as he wrapped his arms around her.
(End of Chapter 5)