Author's Note: I've been getting a lot of comments on Gordon's call, I was surprised he called too! But man, it sure is making a promising twist of events! I can't wait to have you all read the upcoming chapters! ^^

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.

Chapter Thirteen

When Nicole pulled into her lot, she found Adam sitting in his mother's van, waiting for her to get home. She waved cheerfully. After the afternoon with the girls, she wasn't feeling so edgy and she let herself slip from Hunter to Friend. Along with the box from Harry's, she had shoes to match and a bag of Chinese take-out so she motioned Adam over to help her unload.

"Have fun shopping?" Adam asked as he carried the food in one hand and her Payless bag in the other.

Nicole balanced the dress box as she keyed open the front door and let them in. "Oh yeah, I needed a day off, now if I could get a good night's sleep, I'd be set. I brought home take-out, there's plenty if you want to stay and have some," Nicole said as she took the shoe bag and place it and the dress in the living room.

Adam began unloading the Chinese boxes onto the island, "Sure, if you don't mind."

Nicole smiled up at him, "I love the company."

"Where do you keep the plates?" Adam grinned in return.

"Do you mind eating from the box?" Nicole didn't want to admit that she didn't have dishes. Sure, she had plastic silverware but she lived off frozen dinners and take-out. Not much use for plates in the hunting business.

Adam grabbed a container and a set of chopsticks, "I don't mind."

Nicole led the way into the living room, moved her purchases to the floor and sat down on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her. Adam sat beside her, a grin on his face when he noticed glitter remains in the carpet.

"You really did enjoy the balloons," he commented.

Nicole laughed, "You have no idea. This room was covered in glitter. My dad though he was at a disco."

"You're dads in town?" Adam asked between mouthfuls of Kung Pao chicken.

Nicole swallowed her Lo Mien and shook her head, "Not any more. He was only here for a day. Actually, he got home just after you guys left. I came home to find him wondering why the house was full of balloons."

Adam chuckled but his voice was serious, "It doesn't seem like your dad isn't around much."

Nicole's gaze fell to the floor, "It's his job. Being away is just part of the life and a sacrifice we have to make since I'm in public school now."

"I don't get it," Adam shook his head, "Why did you decide to enroll in public school if you dad still travels?"

For the first time, Nicole couldn't look someone in the eye as she lied. She didn't want to lie to Adam. "I was tired of moving around, always leaving people and being alone. I wanted to grow some roots."

"Well," Adam declared, "I'm glad you're here, either way. And now you don't have to be alone, you have me."

It's ironic, Nicole thought as she smiled up at Adam. She was here to be there for him and now he was there for her.

They finished the Chinese food, reaching across each other to share different entrees, joking about school and the upcoming weekend. Nicole took the leftovers and tossed them in the fridge. When she rejoined Adam on the couch, he produced a small box and slid closer to her.

"I went shopping today, too." he offered her the box.

"What's this?" Nicole took it but stared at him questioningly.

"My tie," Adam answered and watched as she opened to lid. "The rest of the suit is basic black but I wanted to be sure the tie matched your dress. I can take it back if it doesn't."

A smile spread across Nicole's face and she laughed, getting up from the couch and crouching next to her box. She opened it up and showed Adam, "They match perfectly."

"I guess I did good then, well, my mom actually. She helped me," Adam grinned. "Now do I get to see the dress?"

Nicole shook her head closed the box and leapt onto the couch, "Not until the dance."

"Ah, come on, just a quick peek of you in it," Adam pleaded, moving to kneel facing her on the cushion.

Nicole shook her head. "It's a surprise."

"Come on," Adam moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, tickling her sides.

Nicole burst out laughing and struggled weakly, "Adam! Cut it out!"

They collapsed in a pile of giggles, Nicole's head resting on the arm rest as Adam propped himself up on his elbows above her. Their eyes met and Nicole's heart sped up, the laughter dying in her throat. Adams gaze swept over her face and his hand came up to stroke her cheek. His thumb lightly traced her cheekbone.

His voice was a husky whisper when he said, "You should get some rest."

He was about to get up when Nicole grabbed his forearms. She was surprised that she did, but then as she thought of the last few sleepless nights, of worry and paranoia, she found she didn't want to be alone. If Adam left, night would close in. She would see danger in every shadow, worry about was out in night and could be coming. Worse, she would think of Gordon and her father's unease in dealing with him.

"Don't go," she whispered, her eyes pleading him to stay.

Adams brow wrinkled in concern, "Nicole, are you sure you're ok?"

She hated herself for lying to him, but then it wasn't a total lie, "I just don't want to be alone."

"Ok," Adam nodded, stroking her cheek.

They adjusted slightly so Adam was against the back of the couch, his head on the arm rest and Nicole curled up beside him, her head on his chest, one leg wrapped around his.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Adam kissed the top of her head and rubbed his hand over her arm soothingly, "I'm happy to."

Nicole slept easily that night, easier than she ever had before.

...

Hundreds of miles away, Carl and Gordon huddled outside a worn down barn, massive machetes gleaming in the moonlight.

"One of them is in there," Gordon whispered.

Carl's eyes scanned the surrounding trees, "We should wait, follow it back to the nest."

"We already know where the nest is," Gordon countered. "We should attack now while they're separated."

Carl grabbed Gordon's shoulder and held him back, "We suspect where the nest is, we don't know for sure."

"That's good enough for me," Gordon's voice rose and all the hairs on Carl's arm stood on end.

The barn doors opened and a young red head woman stepped out, her eyes glancing around until she focused on the spot of trees where they hid. A grin spread across her lips, revealing gleaming white fangs.

"She knows we're here," Carl swore under his breath as he readied his machete.

He lunged out into the open, meeting the vampire at full speed as she rushed him. Behind him, Gordon watched with a smirk on his face as Carl beheaded the vampire and her body fell to the ground.