Sorry for the delay in getting this up, as I am setting up the sequel I had to crunch down and decide when to set this. So this is set just before S07E09 'How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters'. Hope you enjoy, this completes Episode 1, Funkytown. The sequel will begin posting when I am happy with it.
Willow awoke slowly, still tired and stiff; she rolled her neck to try and loosen the knots. Eyes scanning the unfamiliar room she started to panic and pulled herself up to sit.
"Easy there, you're still a little drained." Dean moved her shoulders back so she was lying once more. He was sitting in the chair neck to her bed looking tired, his eyes darkened. "Gave us quite a scare there..." He leaned down an kissed her forehead. "We spoke to Mr. Giles and he told us to let you sleep and then get a strong cup of tea down you; I'll be back in a minute."
Willow relaxed into the comfort of the bedding, Rosie's, in Texas, the sunnenbulst spell. Everything came rushing back to her. It was good to know she was safe. She let loose a sigh and snuggled under the duvet a bit.
Rosie walked into the room and plopped herself down on the bed. "Don't worry, I got you changed into your PJs, but handsome there hasn't left your side since then."
"Thanks, we didn't miss any vamps did we?"
"No after we got here and I spoke to Giles I went back out with Sam to check the area and there was nothing unusual."
"Good, what time is it?"
"A little after 3pm. You guys are welcome to stay tonight, or however long you need?"
Dean re-entered the room with a steaming cup and a plate of cookies. "Appreciate it Rosie, but it's a little cramped in here so we might just find a motel to bed down in before we start the drive to Cleveland."
Willow took the cup from him gratefully and nibbled away on a biscuit, but upon the mention of 'we' and 'Cleveland' she choked. Dean patted we on the back, "if you think I'm letting you out of my sight anymore than I have to you are sorely mistaken."
Willow coughed again and took a sip of the too-hot tea.
"I think you got a keeper there Will, I'll be in the living room bugging Sam if you need me."
The door shut with a definite click and Dean reached over to take the hot drink from her hands and place to next to the plate of cookies on the bed stand.
He placed one hand on the bed next to her hip and with the other stroked her hair back behind her ear. "It's been a long time since I was worried about someone like that, I mean, don't get me wrong, my whole day is worry, but I know Sam, Cas and Bobby can handle themselves."
Willow tried to jump in but instead he moved his hand so a finger was pressed against her lips. "I know you can handle yourself too, you were awe inspiring last night. Did you know, your hair and eyes turn white? That's when I really, truly knew you were good. You glowed."
Willow smiled against her finger and snuck her hand to the front of his shirt to pull his face closer to hers.
"I was worried about you too."
She threw him a smile and brought his lips down to her own.
Dean packed the few things they had removed from their bags in the short time they had been at Rosie's house. Stuffing the previous days t-shirt into his bag he wrinkled his nose at the smell that emanated from the bag, right, he thought, must find a launderette.
Sam was next to him packing their weapons back in another bag, not forgetting the half a dozen stakes that Rosie had given them.
She bustled about the kitchenette, offering to make them sandwiches of snacks for the drive. Eventually he had deemed it prudent to just agree in order to give her something to do.
Finishing up with his bag he knocked against the door to the small room only to let himself in.
Willow turned in front of him, clad in only a towel. Cheeks turned pink, and he witnessed the flush following down to her chest.
Taking three large strides towards her he pulled her into him and tried to peek down the towel. "Now, Ms Rosenberg, how far exactly does that blush go down?"
She snickered and moved closer into his arms. "How about we find the next available motel with two rooms and we find out?"
Dean looked at her a little taken aback; he held his hand to her forehead but found no temperature. "I don't mean to complain, I really don't, but-"
"Buffy once told me Slaying makes you hungry and horny, and to be honest I'm full of cookies. Well that and sometimes using that much magic can be a little intoxicating. Hence, you know, addicting." She interrupted, "now, let me pull on some clothes and we can be off."
She stepped away from him and started rummaging through her bag, but he just stood there, staring at her towel clad behind that was in front of him before his eyes focused on the drops of water still clinging to her legs and ripping onto the floor. When Willow stood back up she smirked at him and passed him her bag.
"Give me 5 minutes?"
Dean gulped and tightened his hold on the bag. "Right, er, I'll be back in a few then.
She had the gall to wink at him before he stepped out of the room. He pulled the door shut and leaned back against the wood to gather himself. Okay, get the car packed up, get on the road and find a motel with a bar close by to keep Sam engaged. He really hoped she would be just as cheeky in an hour's time when all this would be achieved.
Sam stared at his brother as he leaned against the bedroom door, eyeing the faint blush that coloured his cheeks. Sam knew it wouldn't take much for his brother to fall hard for the Witch; that was, if he hadn't all ready. He was happy to admit though that having someone else, especially someone as smart as Willow seemed, would not be a hardship in the months ahead.
"Dean" he called over, "we almost ready to leave? Rosie here has made enough sandwiches to keep us fed for a week."
"Oy!"
Dean opened his eyes and glared at him, "do you really want to antagonise a Slayer?"
Sam shrugged.
"Willow said she will be ready in a few and we can load up the car."
He moved to grab his own bag off the sofa, which he carried with Willow's to the front door. Dumping them on the floor he turned to the girl in the kitchenette and held out his hand to her. "Rosie, it has been a pleasure." Sam walked up behind Dean and passed a bit of paper to the young girl.
"Our numbers, in case you ever need extra backup."
She smiled and pulled him and Dean into a tight hug. "Thank you."
He pulled himself from her grasp, grabbed the bags and stood next to the door, "we'll be seeing you then."
He saw Dean throw her a salute, pick the bags back up and nodded to him to open the door.
Willow hugged the younger girl goodbye and made her promise to call if she ever needed help.
Upon leaving the small apartment she knew she had some tough choices to make. She could both go back to Cleveland and The Council and help a network of Supergirls, or she could run away with the Winchesters and get her hands dirty. The third option, to work alone didn't seem too appealing any longer.
Sitting on the second to last step, out of view of the complex's front door she pulled out her phone and idly scrolled up and down the contacts wondering who to speak to, who would be best to offer advice.
Xander would pout; forgetting that he was an adult and insist he needed her. Giles would start polishing his glasses loudly enough that she wouldn't need the phone to hear it, and Buffy would probably tell her, well, to go for it. Relocking her phone she figured she had at least a few days worth of driving to decide, and a little procrastination wouldn't hurt.
Jumping up she pressed the release button to allow her out only to see the Impala idling, with Sam sitting in the driving seat and Dean leaning down to talk to him through the open window. Sam nodded in her direct and Dean grinned at her as she approached. Reaching for her hand he pulled her flush against him, "hey."
She looked up into his eager face and felt herself blushing. "Sorry about before." She ducked her head to try and hide the flush that she could feel getting more prominent. Dean though, just pulled her closer.
"Never apologize if you did nothing wrong babe." He released her and moved his arm to open the door to the rear seats. "Mind if I join you in the back? I didn't get any sleep and I don't want any flagging on you later."
Sam groaned from the front seat and she chuckled at the noise. "Well you clearly need a Granny nap, who am I to argue?"
Dean threw a V at Sam and slid into the back seat only to pulled Willow in with him to.
"Sammy is going to drive, and you Missy are going to join me for this old person nap, because where we are going there won't be much sleeping."
Willow squirmed, Sam groaned again and Dean just nuzzled his face into her neck. Struggling, she managed to squeak out "and where would that be?"
Sam threw her a look before starting the car. "If you don't have anywhere to be straight away we could use your help with something?"
Willow shrugged and dislodged Dean from her neck. "And where would that be?"
"New Jersey. There have been some weird deaths and Bobby just called to ask us come along with him." Dean mumbled into her shoulder. "Maybe you could come along?"
She sat silent for a minute, crunch time had come on her sooner than she expected. Resigning herself to the fact she was enjoying having company that wasn't a bunch of teenage girls or being alone, and that she might be able to help she nodded.
"Yeah, I need a break anyway."
Sam snorted from the front seat. "Won't be much of a break when we explain what is going on with the Leviathans..."