November 21, 2009
Souix Falls, South Dakota
It had been two days and everyone at Bobby's was in mourning. Jo hadn't come out of the room Cas had originally put her in, and everyone took turns taking her food and trying to keep her company. So far Jo hadn't talked to anyone, simply staring at them blankly.
This morning it was Dean's turn and he knocked hesitantly on the door before opening it.
"Jo?" he murmured, peaking in his head to see she hadn't left the bed she had woken up in. Sighing, he entered, closing the door behind him and setting the plate on the bedside table. He sat next to her and looked her over. "Jo," Dean murmured again.
Slowly she turned but refused to meet his eyes.
"It's my fault," Jo murmured.
Dean shook his head. "None of us could have-"
"It should have been me," Jo argued.
Dean nodded. "Same here." Jo frowned and looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "Back before we broke into the Roadhouse Sam and I were hunting down Azazel with our dad. We were getting close. So Azazel arranged an accident. I...I,uh, ended up in a coma." Jo took his hand. She knew neither of the Winchesters were big on their feelings so the fact that he was opening up to her was huge. "Dad made a deal...with Azazel. My life for the Colt...and his life."
Jo shook her head. "Dean, I'm so sorry."
Dean's thumb gently ran over the back of her hand. "I know...all that guilt. That anger." He sighed. "You're not alone in this, Jo."
Jo gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Dean." She leaned past him to grab her breakfast plate and started eating one of the maple syrup smothered pancakes. She looked over a at him sheepishly. "You want one?"
Dean shook his head. "I think I've had enough of Bobby's burned pancakes to last me a lifetime."
Jo looked at him. "So you and Sam have any hunts lined up?"
Dean shook his head. "No. We figured we'd stick around. Try to come up with another plan." What Dean didnt want to tell her is that he didn't want to leave her vulnerable. Jo was a hunter. She had proved that in River Pass. But even hunters were vulnerable to grief and Dean knew he couldn't lose anyone else in this fight.
Jo nodded in understanding. "I'll help."
Dean shook his head. "Jo, no one's asking you to jump back in the saddle. You need to take care of yourself."
Jo rolled her eyes. "It's just research, Dean. I can handle that much."
Dean sighed. "Alright. We'll be downstairs when you're ready." Jo nodded as Dean stood up and left the room.
XXXX
November 26, 2009
The house had been quiet, considering everyone had been doing research.
So when Jo awoke to the TV on Macy's Day Parade and cursing coming from the kitchen, she frowned. Sitting up, she leaned her back against the arm of the couch that she now occupied because her nightmares had gotten so bad. She took off the throw blanket Karen had once made. Her bare feet absorbed the coldness of the floor and it sent a shiver up her spine as she padded into the kitchen. She was surprised to see Dean standing in front of the stove with four pots. One was boiling over while two others steamed furiously. Dean was standing in front of the last one, wooden spoon in hand and apron around his waist.
"What the hell is going on?" Jo demanded.
Dean turned around to face her, smiling brightly. "Happy Thanksgivjng."
Jo frowned. "Thanksgivjng?"
Dean nodded. "You know. Pilgrims. Indians. Turkey?"
Jo rolled her eyes. "I know what Thanksgiving is, Dean. Why are we doing Thanksgiving? We don't exactly have a lot to be thankful for."
Dean shrugged. "It might be our last Thanksgiving, Jo. Just humor me."
Jo rolled her eyes and headed back into the study. "Okay, Dean."
Bobby appeared to be hiding in the study, on one of the hunter phone lines.
"Yeah," he sighed. "That's one of the bigger packs. About fifteen known members and God knows how many others." He fell silent and Jo could hear a female voice yelling on the end. Bobby shook his head. "You're about an hour out. Why don't you stop by? I've got a couple of hunters who could help." More yelling. "I think you're perfectly capable of handling a pack on your own, but even the best need back up so they don't die." The yelling quieted down. "Alright. We'll see you in a little bit."
Bobby rolled back from the desk into the kitchen doorway.
"Hey, Donna Reed," he called to Dean, who turned around. "Add another place setting. We're expecting a guest." Dean rolled his eyes and muttered something about a ruined Thanksgiving.
Jo ignored him, more curious about the phone call.
"Who was that?" she asked, sitting back on the couch.
Bobby sighed. "Jenna Winters. One of the best werewolf hunters I've ever seen."
Jo frowned. "She just go after werewolves?"
Bobby nodded. "She was born into the system and never got out. Only found one good foster family when she was fifteen. She was babysitting her brother when a wolf attacked."
"He killed her brother," Jo guessed. Hunters were usually created by family bloodshed.
Bobby nodded again. "Bingo, kiddo."
"So what about the pack she's hunting?"
"The mate of the pack leader is the one that killed her brother. Which is where Sam and Dean come in."
"I can help," Jo offered.
"Hell, no," Dean argued, coming in from the kitchen.
"Your turkey's burning," Jo bit out.
Dean shook his head. "You're not coming, Jo."
"Why the hell not?" Jo demanded.
"Because-"
"Hello?" a new voice called, as the door opened.
Jo smiled politely as a girl about her own age walked into the foyer. Her brown hair was pulled back out of her face and curled slightly, and her brown eyes mirrored Jo's own. She frowned when she saw the other huntress. "Bobby?" she asked hesitantly.
The blonde got to her feet, pushing past Dean to offer her hand. "Hi, Jenna. I'm Jo." Jenna looked at Jo's hand before looking over her shoulder at Bobby.
"I'm here," she sighed, clearly annoyed.
Bobby nodded and rolled toward the newcomer. "Jenna, meet Jo Harvelle and Dean Winchester." Dean turned around and smiled at her.
Jenna looked them over carefully and Jo could see how guarded she was, even to another female hunter. Finally Jenna just pushed past them.
"I'm here," she repeated, "so let's get this over with."
Bobby sighed and then frowned as smoke came out of the kitchen.
"Dean, your Thanksgiving's burning."
Dean shook his head and stormed into the kitchen while Jo sat down, exited to meet the new huntress.